Fresh Thyme Market Enhances Community Health and Hunger Relief Initiatives Entering 2026

As we step into 2026, Fresh Thyme Market is doubling down on its commitment to improving community health, reducing food insecurity, and providing affordable access to nutritious grocery options. Based in the Midwest, Fresh Thyme has long been dedicated to fostering healthier communities, and its renewed focus reflects the organization’s mission to support residents in meaningful ways.

According to Liz Zolcak, President of Fresh Thyme Market, the objective is simple yet profound: “As a better-for-you grocer, our purpose is to nourish people around every table while investing in the very communities we serve.” Throughout 2025, Fresh Thyme has made significant strides in charitable initiatives, setting a solid foundation upon which to build in 2026.

Building Partnerships for a Healthier Future

In celebration of a decade-long collaboration with Vitamin Angels, Fresh Thyme continues its essential mission of improving health outcomes for underserved pregnant women, infants, and children. The partnership has successfully provided vital vitamins and minerals to over 7 million women and children globally. In December 2025, the “Round-Up at the Register” initiative allowed customers to round up their bills to contribute to this cause. This effort alone positively impacted the lives of over 243,000 individuals, highlighting the collective potential of the Fresh Thyme community.

Another pillar of Fresh Thyme's strategy is its multi-year partnership with Feeding America®. This collaboration remains crucial in helping alleviate hunger and food insecurity in the community. Through various customer-led campaigns and community engagement efforts, Fresh Thyme and its patrons raised over $400,000 in 2025. These contributions, equating to more than 4 million meals distributed to families in need, exemplify the impact of community-driven initiatives. In addition, Fresh Thyme's food rescue program successfully rerouted over 1.5 million pounds of food, providing 1.2 million meals to local hunger-relief organizations.

Commitment to Longevity in Community Giving

Fresh Thyme's Grab & Give program is another cornerstone of its charitable approach. This initiative invites shoppers to purchase pre-filled donation bags at checkout, promoting community support during the holiday season. In 2025, customers purchased 22,681 donation bags and Fresh Thyme matched contributions, significantly amplifying the outreach and support for families in need.

Maintaining Affordability While Enhancing Quality

With inflation affecting household budgets, Fresh Thyme remains focused on affordability, extending its Price Lock initiative into 2026. This program aims to provide stability in pricing for healthful grocery essentials and offers families predictability when managing their meals. By locking prices on key items, Fresh Thyme reinforces its promise of keeping healthy food accessible.

Additionally, Fresh Thyme continues to work alongside the Indy Fuel hockey team, collaborating on various community health initiatives under the slogan “Fueling the End to Hunger.” This partnership engages fans in supporting local hunger relief efforts, amplifying the collective impact on the local communities.

A Commitment Beyond 2026

As Fresh Thyme Market moves into 2026, its resolute focus on health, nutrition access, and community engagement remains strong. The ongoing partnerships and programs are designed to meet the evolving needs of local families while ensuring that nutritious food options are accessible to everyone. With a firm commitment to humanitarian efforts and affordability at its core, Fresh Thyme Market is undoubtedly continuing its journey of being the go-to grocery store for better-for-you choices in the Midwest and beyond. For more details about Fresh Thyme Market and their community-driven mission, visit www.freshthyme.com.