The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-10-05
85th Birthday Is
Marked By A & p
Adherence to Economy Pledge Is
Cited by Veteran of
Four Wars"


celebrated throughout the nation
this week by the Great Atlantic and
Pacific Tea Company.
Pioneer in modern methods of
mass distribution, the A e. p was
established in 1859, when George
Huntington Hartford opened the
doors of his first red-fronted store
in New York City. Today the stores
are familiar sights throughout the
country, and, along with present-day
supermarkets, play a vital part in
the daily lives of millions of con-
sumers, producers and farmers.
Announcing local observance of
the anniversary, r. r. Betz, vice
president in charge in this area,
pointed out that the institution
founded by Hartford is a veteran of
four wars and has been committed
to an important role in the present
conflict.
an its strict observance of the
price control and rationing programs,
its teamwork with Federal agencies
in helping to move surpluses of var
ious commodities, its leadership in
the drives to salvage waste fats,
metals, containers and paper, and
its vigilance against waste and spoil
age in the distribution of perish
ables, the A & P has kept pledge
it made to the American public at
the start of the war;, Betz said.
The company's pledge, over the
signature of John A. Hartford, pres
ident of the company and son of
the founder, affirmed its intention to
continue efforts to reduce the spread
between prices paid the grower and
prices charge the consumer; to con-
tinue its aid to farmers in the ord
erly marketing of their products at
fair prices, and to maintain high
wages and good working conditions
for its employees.
Pledged further to hold inventor.
les to the lowest point consistent
with good service to customers, be-
cause boarding, whether by whole
salers, retailers or consumers, woulC
cause higher prices, the compan!
also published its intention to con
tinue selling food at the lowest mar
gin of profit in the history of th'
retail grocery business.
Guided by its policy of cutting op
Grating costs and passing the saw
ings on to the consumer, the frs
A & P store enjoyed immediate sue
cess. Young Hartford took a revo
lutionary step in purchasing carg,
of tea direct from China and, b,
elimination of all needless in-betweel
landings and costs, retailed it fo
third of the prevailing prices. H
subsequently applied the same mas
distribution principles to an expand
ing variety of foods, and public &C
ceptance made it possible to opel
branches and start Americas frs
chain store company.
Probably our greatest single con
tribution to a healthful American
Diet, said Betz, twas the part W
played in making fresh fruits an,
vegetables available the year round
The A & P, in many instances, wa
the first to bring southern produc
to northern markets during the win
ter months. The benefits of year
round consumption of these food
have been felt by both farmers an,
consumers"
| Another major step in the com
pany's growth occurred with the ad
vent of economy stores, clearl
demonstrating that consumers want
ed more food for their food dolla
and were willing to dispense wit
credit and delivery. More recent de
velopments of the A & P econom
store are the supermarket an
"superette" which not only operat
on the money-saving cash-and-carr
basis but enable customers to bu
all types of food under one roof an,
avoid tedious detours in shopping.
| Doubled consumption of citru
fruits in the past twenty year
through speedy delivery of thes
products to all markets, development
of poultry as a daily commodity in
stead of the traditional holiday din
ner", inland distribution of fresI
seafood, and mass production an,
sale of dairy foods, were cited b.
Betz as outstanding examples o
how A & P mass merchandising ha
affected American eating habits.
Emphasis upon superior quality
lower cost and wider distribution
has also characterized the company
activities in the canned goods field
he continued. Packing method
have improved considerably in re
cent years and the company ha
pioneered grade labelling of came,
fruits. and vegetables, as advocate,
by the U. S. Department of Agri
culture, for years. The A & p wa
the first large concern to adopt thi
system as policy and its activit.
along these lines has the endorse
ment of leading consumer groups, a
well as the government"
| Despite A & P's pre-eminence il