The Save Mart Cos., operator of 191 Save Mart, Lucky and FoodMaxx stores across California and Nevada, has revealed its “Right By You” affordability promise, a comprehensive initiative designed to deliver tangible relief to families in the communities they serve who are struggling with inflation, rising food costs and changes to food assistance programs, according to a news release.
“When families tell us they're choosing between groceries or gas, between meat on the table or medicine in the cabinet, we can't shrug and say ‘that's inflation,'” says Jim Perkins, president of The Save Mart Cos. “That's what ‘Right By You' is all about — 12 programs, food bank matching funds and community investment. We're meeting people where they are with solutions that actually help.”
The initiative includes 12 programs across two themes — food affordability and food access — which launched Oct. 29 and will continue through the end of the year and beyond. The grocer says key components include a food bank matching funds initiative, holiday meals under $6 per person, 50% off select meat and produce events, expanded Flashfood availability, free November grocery delivery (subject to availability and terms) and military discounts.
To learn more, The Packer sat down with Andy Comer, vice president of marketing; Daniel Moore, group vice president of store operations; and Zeb Early, senior vice president of merchandising for The Save Mart Cos. to discuss the retailer's new “Right by You” Affordability Promise and how it aims to help customers facing rising food costs and economic uncertainty.
Meeting Communities Where They Are
Comer says the program stems directly from the company's community-based roots.
“We're Valley Proud. We're Bay Proud. Those aren't marketing slogans to us; they're promises about how we show up when our neighbors need us,” he says. “When you're a regional grocer living in the communities where you serve, when your kids go to school with your customers' kids, affordability is a fundamental responsibility.”
Comer says the company's focus on affordability is being tested as customers face compounding pressure including ongoing inflation, uncertainty around Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and severe weather disrupting supply chains, especially for produce.
“About 10% of our sales come from SNAP customers, but these are families, not statistics,” he says. “Military commissaries are closing, benefits are getting delayed, and so families are turning to us, their neighborhood grocer.”
He adds that affordability matters to Save Mart for three key reasons: community health, long-term trust and identity.
“It's simply who we are,” Comer says. “That's why we're matching $120,000 for food banks, why we're guaranteeing complete holiday meals for 10 people under $6 per person — under $5 at FoodMaxx — because this is just who we have to be for our communities.”
Moore says the company's local control allows it to act quickly when challenges arise.
“We noticed a need right away and started our Friends Feeding Friends program early,” he says. “We weren't scheduled to begin until Nov. 5, but we said, ‘Hey, we're doing this now,' and we got it done.”
He adds that an early response led to immediate community engagement.
“In store on Friday and Saturday, I saw great excitement — people making multiple purchases of our food bags to give back,” Moore says. “People who can are wanting to give more this year, and that's exciting to see.”
Early says the merchandising team worked with store leaders to adjust prices and launch early discounts to address community needs.
“When we work with our food banks throughout the year, we try to understand what products they actually need,” he says. “Because our donations are monetary, we can flex to provide what's most useful.”
Early notes that the affordability initiative prompted early rollouts of key promotions.
“Our 50% off meat and produce event was moved up, and we lowered prices on turkeys, potatoes, onions and staple items like rice,” he says. “We wanted to get there when our community needed us most.”
Early says that each store's community is unique, and the company's local approach allows flexibility.
“Each store is a microclimate for that community,” he says. “That's what's special about this program; it reflects the culture of the company and the needs of our neighbors.
Key features of the initiative include:
Food Affordability
- 50% Off Select Meat and Produce Event (Oct. 29 – Nov. 4): Deep discounts on select proteins and fresh produce will be offered at the company's Save Mart and Lucky stores, with additional sales planned throughout the month of November and beyond.
- Holiday Essentials Pricing: Guaranteed low prices on Thanksgiving staples across all banners, with deals launching Oct. 29 (turkeys) and Oct. 31 (multiple additional items).
- “100% Natural, Unbeatable Value” Meat Line Launch: A new private-label line of 100% natural beef, poultry and pork — minimally processed with no artificial ingredients — offering families quality proteins at prices that make healthy eating accessible, even as meat costs continue to rise.
- Holiday Meal Program: A complete Thanksgiving dinner for 10 people — under $6 per person at Save Mart and Lucky, and under $5 per person at FoodMaxx. Includes turkey, potatoes, vegetables, cranberry sauce, gravy, rolls and pie. The program will be extended to Christmas with similar offerings.
- Military Discount: Active service members, with valid identification, can receive a 10% discount at all Save Mart, Lucky and FoodMaxx locations on Veterans Day, and then a 10% discount at Save Mart and Lucky, and a 5% discount at all FoodMaxx locations, every following Monday during the month of November. Some exclusions apply.
Food Access
- “Friends Feeding Friends” Campaign (Nov. 5 – Jan. 1, 2026): Shoppers can purchase $5 or $10 Pantry Packs at checkout to support local food banks, with 100% of donations staying in the communities where they're raised. The Save Mart Cos. will also be partnering with Keurig Dr Pepper to contribute up to $120,000 in matching funds in support of the program. The first food distribution will reach families before Christmas.
- DoorDash Emergency Food Response Program: Through DoorDash's nationwide emergency initiative, The Save Mart Cos. will offer free delivery and waived service fees for SNAP recipients, removing a barrier for families relying on food assistance, subject to DoorDash terms and conditions.
- Save Mart Rewards Program: The Save Mart Cos. will offer enhanced digital coupons with deeper discounts through the month of November on select items.
- Free Home Delivery: The Save Mart Cos. will offer free home delivery of grocery items bought directly from each of their banner e-commerce sites through the remainder of 2025. Minimum spend of $35. Service fees still apply.
- “Buy Now, Pay Later": The Save Mart Cos. will offer a “Buy Now, Pay Later” option at checkout on all banners' ecommerce sites through third-party providers. Subject to credit approval and provider terms.
- Flashfood Partnership: Up to 50% off food nearing its “sell by/best by” date, now available in all Lucky stores and 11 Save Mart stores in Modesto. Discounts and availability vary by location and item.
- Community Events and Partnerships: Throughout November and December, The Save Mart Cos. will uplift communities across California and Nevada through local sponsorships, parades and charitable activations — from donating meals and supporting food bank drives to celebrating the holidays alongside neighbors. These efforts bring the “Right By You” Affordability Promise to life by pairing everyday value with genuine community care, the grocer says.
