The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1944-10-05

Eighty.five years in the field OF
food distribution Is being celebrat.
ed throughout the nation this week
by the Great Atlantic and Pacific
Tea Company.
Pioneer in modern methods of
mass distribution. the A & p was
established in 1859, when George
Huntington Hartford opened the
doors OF his first red fronted store
in New York. Today the stores are
familiar sights throughout the
country and, along with present.
day supermarkets, play vital part
in the daily lives OF millions OF
consumers, producers and farm
ers.
Announcing local observance OF
the anniversary. ]. A. O'Donnell,
vice president in charge in this
area, pointed out that the institu-
ton founded by Hartford is a vet.
eran OF four wars and has been
committed TO an important role in
the present conflict.
In its strict observance OF the
price control and rationing pro.
grams. its teamwork with federal
agencies in helping to move sur
pluses OF various commodities. its
leadership in the drives to salvage
waste fats, metals, containers and
papers, and its vigilance against
waste and spoilage in the distribu.
ton OF perishables, the A G. p has
kept a pledge 1t made to the
American public at the start OF
the war" O'Donnell said.
The company's pledge. over the
signature OF John A. Hartford, pres
ident OF the company and a son OF
the founder. affirmed its intention
TO continue efforts TO reduce the
spread between prices paid the
grower and prices charged the con-
sumner; to continue its aid TO farm
ers in the orderly marketing OF
their products at fair prices, and 10
maintain high wages and good
working conditions for its en-
ployes.
Pledged further to hold inven-
tories TO the lowest point consist
ent with good service TO customers,
because boarding, whether by
wholesalers or consumers, would
cause higher prices, the company
also published its intention Ito
continue selling food at the lowest
margin OF profit in the history OF
the retail grocery business"
Guided by its policy OF cutting
operating costs and passing the
savings on TO the consumer, the
first A G. P store enjoyed immedi-
ate success. Young Hartford took
a revolutionary step in purchasing
a cargo OF tea direct from China
and, by elimination OF all needless
in.between landings and costs. re-
tailed it for third OF the prevail
ing prices. He subsequently APP
piled ths same mass distribution
principles to an expanding variety
Of foods, and public acceptance
made it possible TO open branches
and start Americas first chain
store company.
Probably our greatest single con-
IIlDullOu 10 ucdllulul Amer lCdH
diet" said O'Donnell, was the part
we played in making fresh fruits
and vegetables available the year
round. The A & p, in many inst
ances. was the first TO bring south
ern produce TO northern markets
during the winter months. The
benefits of year-round consumption
OF these foods have been felt by
both farmers and consumers"
Another major step in the COM
pany's growth occurred with the
advent OF economy stores" clear
ly demonstrating that consumers
wanted more food for their food
dollar and were willing to dispense
with credit and delivery. More re.
cent developments OF the A e. P
economy store are the supermarket
and "superette" which not only
operate on the moncy-saving cash
and-carry basis but enable custom.
ers TO buy all types of food under