Everyone may be anticipating the grand opening of Foodland in Aina Haina this month, but what many do not know, is how much thought the corporation put into their appreciation for the community’s faithfulness and hopeful continued support upon their re-opening. Before the Foodland closed on August 23, 2009, they made several commitments. One was to return on schedule in February, 2010 – a pretty bold promise to make considering the extensive renovations they had in mind.

Regular patrons were given a “Passport of Savings,” which offered free items, every two weeks, when customers holding passports spent a minimum of $25 in another Foodland store. The rewards ranged from free pineapple to poke, and Haagen-Dazs to Angel Soft. The passport began on August 24th and ran through January 31st, offering 12 free valuable items to those who remained faithful to Foodland by shopping at other locations, even though they may not be as convenient. In return, Foodland Aina Haina not only offered the free items, but the chance to win a shopping spree. Every participant who turns in a completed “passport” with stamps of validation to the new Foodland by February 21 will be entered into a drawing for a chance win either a grand prize of a $1,000 shopping spree at Foodland Farms Aina Haina, or one of five $100 shopping sprees.

Another exciting detail of their commitment to the community comes in the form of their “Aloha Aina Haina” project. This project is designed to give up to $50,000 to local schools. Aina Haina Elementary, Niu Valley Middle School, Kalani High School, Waldorf, and Holy Nativity School are all eligible to receive $10,000 each for purchases made between the Grand Opening on February 17th and March 31st. Each school will receive a code that is required to be entered at the time of purchase. Every school was given a code so that parents with children at multiple schools could decide for themselves which school should receive the donation. It is important to remember that the code must be put in at time of purchase. A generous 10% will be given to the school of choice at each transaction. A maximum of $10,000 will be awarded to each school – based on sales – after the end of the promotion. Foodland associates are encouraged to remind people to choose a school upon checkout. The codes are as follows: 9700 – Aina Haina Elementary; 9710 - Niu Valley Middle School; 9720 – Kalani High; 9730 – Waldorf Honolulu (upper and lower campus); 9740- Holy Nativity School. All five schools are selling tickets for a preview party to be held on February 16th. Each school will receive only 75 tickets to sell at $25 each.