Jacksonville, Fla. (March 4, 2021) — Acosta announced today it is a winner of a 2021 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award from Shelby Publishing. The awards program, which launched this year, recognizes the most iconic companies working to advance and uphold diversity, equity and inclusion in the U.S. grocery industry. 

Shelby Publishing’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion awards program celebrates companies across all sectors of the retail food industry within three classes – retailers; wholesalers and distributors; and suppliers, solutions providers and sales and marketing agencies – that demonstrate an exemplary commitment to driving and imparting positive changes across their organizations by removing barriers and creating environments where individuals can thrive as their authentic selves.

Acosta established two Inclusion & Diversity councils in 2021 to spearhead efforts across the organization. The councils’ accomplishments to-date include launching a mandatory unconscious bias training and optional inclusion and diversity awareness course; piloting a mentorship program; and starting an Acosta Diversity & Inclusion webinar series. The series aims to spark ongoing conversations, help associates cultivate empathy, develop an inclusive and diverse mindset and enable associates to understand the unique dynamics they all face at work. 

“Acosta is committed to fostering an inclusive, accountable and empowering culture that celebrates the differences of our diverse workforce and reflects our core values. We are honored to be recognized for the progress we’ve made thus far,” said Brian Wynne, CEO of Acosta. “Our goal is to create an environment where each associate can bring their whole true self to work with assurance that their contributions are heard, seen and valued in a safe and accepting manner. We are confident that our initial actions and ongoing efforts will help to create a stronger, more inclusive Acosta that represents the world we want to live in.”

Acosta’s efforts focus on four key areas:

• Applicant sourcing: Striving for diverse talent pools for open positions
• Candidate selection: Aspiring to be free of bias in talent selection and promotions
• Associate development: Creating opportunities for all associates to grow their careers at Acosta and be recognized for their contributions
• Client and vendor relationships: Partnering with vendors, clients and customers to pursue initiates that support Acosta’s commitment to inclusion and diversity

Shelby Publishing’s 2021 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion award winners will be recognized in its March print issues and on its website. 

To learn more about Acosta’s diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, visit https://www.acosta.com/about#what-we-believe. 

About Acosta

Acosta is an integrated sales and marketing services provider that enables consumer packaged goods brands and retailers to win in the modern marketplace by delivering progressive solutions and exceptional service. With more than 90 years of experience, Acosta understands evolving consumer needs and helps its clients and customers stay a step ahead, fueling their accelerated performance.