In Spring 2008, Cub Foods was preparing to open its new Phalen store on the East Side of St. Paul, only 10 minutes from Hmong American Partnership’s main office. Cub wanted to truly connect with the neighborhood and its communities, including HAP and the participants HAP serves.
Cub representatives met with HAP Job Developers and with the East Side Prosperity Campaign, a group of cooperating local organizations that includes HAP. HAP hosted information fairs about employment at the new Cub, and attracted crowds of job-seekers. HAP also provided space for Cub to interview job candidates at its
Arcade Street location, since Cub’s store was still under construction. By the Grand Opening on October 31, 2008, Cub had hired 9 HAP program participants.
Cub even consulted HAP regarding entertainment for the Grand Opening celebrations that would best honor the heritage of the Hmong residents of the neighborhood.
The Phalen Cub store is also a clean, green neighbor. It is the first supermarket in Minnesota to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification for ecologically sustainable, waste-reducing design. This store has has also earned EPA GreenChill Gold-Level Certification, an award given for outstanding use of environmentally-friendly refrigeration technology.
Cub generously donated to HAP. Cub’s gifts have benefitted HAP programs, our program participants, and the larger community. Cub also offers fundraising opportunities to HAP programs with holiday bagging.
HAP is proud to welcome Cub Foods into the neighborhood, and to salute an important partner.