In a significant move to address the challenges faced by working families, SpartanNash, a leading food solutions company, has enhanced its Total Rewards program. This program expansion comes at a crucial time when many employees struggle with the high costs and limited availability of child care services. With an array of new benefits aimed at children, adult dependents, and elderly family members, the company’s initiatives seek to alleviate financial burdens and provide greater support for its associates.
SpartanNash’s newly introduced child care benefits can help employees save up to $6,000 annually, depending on their eligibility. This is particularly noteworthy considering how child care expenses have skyrocketed in recent years. The initiatives include a 25% discount on tuition for children aged 0-12 who attend child care centers within The Learning Care Group. This group encompasses various facilities, such as AppleTree & Gilden Woods, Childtime, Tutor Time, and more than 1,100 schools nationwide. Furthermore, this tuition discount extends to before- and after-school care as well as camps offered by the group, making it a comprehensive solution for working parents.
Another major aspect of the benefits program is priority enrollment for new children entering The Learning Care Group’s facilities. Parents will also benefit from waived enrollment and registration fees, easing the initial financial commitments associated with securing child care.
Additionally, SpartanNash recognizes the unpredictability that can accompany regular child care arrangements. To mitigate this, the company is offering three days of backup care when standard care options fail, such as during snow days, sick days, or holidays. This backup care will be managed exclusively by The Learning Care Group, ensuring quality support when it’s needed most.
To further assist employees financially, SpartanNash is providing a company match of up to $500 for those enrolled in a Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account. This initiative encourages saving while directly supporting the cost of child care.
Adrienne Chance, the Senior Vice President and Chief Communications Officer at SpartanNash, shared insights on the motivations behind these benefits. As a working mother herself, she expressed her understanding of the complex challenges associated with balancing family and work responsibilities. “Working parents are increasingly challenged with access and affordability when seeking child and elder care,” Chance noted. Her personal perspective adds authenticity to the company’s commitment to supporting its workforce.
In collaboration with The Learning Care Group, SpartanNash demonstrates its dedication to providing tailored care solutions. Sean Sondreal, Chief Business Development Officer at Learning Care Group, commended SpartanNash for its proactive stance. He emphasized that through subsidizing tuition and offering backup care, the company is ensuring its employees have access to affordable, high-quality child care.
Nicole Zube, the Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at SpartanNash, highlighted the firm’s commitment to a “People First” culture. “Our approach to benefits focuses on offering options that promote flexibility,” she explained, referring to the varied needs of associates throughout different life stages. This sentiment underscores the importance that SpartanNash places on holistic employee well-being—spanning emotional, physical, and financial health.
Beyond these new offerings, SpartanNash has a history of supporting its workforce with family-friendly benefits. The company provides Paid Parental Leave, family planning benefits such as adoption assistance, and work-life resources that include free counseling sessions catering to every stage of parenthood. In recognition of its efforts, SpartanNash was named one of Newsweek’s “America’s Greatest Workplaces for Parents & Families” in 2024, highlighting its status as an employer that actively invests in family support.
With 17,500 associates under its umbrella, SpartanNash operates two business segments: food wholesale and grocery retail. Its extensive supply chain network services a variety of clients, from independent grocery stores to e-commerce platforms and even U.S. military exchanges. Additionally, SpartanNash runs 147 grocery stores, primarily under the Family Fare, Martin’s Super Markets, and D&W Fresh Market banners.
The enhancements to the Total Rewards program show SpartanNash’s proactive approach to addressing the challenges its employees face daily, particularly in managing family care. By investing in these new benefits, SpartanNash not only supports its workforce but also sets an example for other companies in the retail and grocery sectors to follow.
Child care support is increasingly recognized as vital for employee retention and satisfaction. The steps taken by SpartanNash illustrate a growing trend among employers to prioritize family-friendly policies, which can lead to improved morale, reduced turnover, and a more engaged workforce.
As businesses continue to navigate the complexities of employee care needs, initiatives like those from SpartanNash will likely act as a template for how companies can successfully address these critical issues.
