AG Foods named business of the year at Rosetown Age Friendly Awards
By Ian MacKay
Rosetown AG Foods took home quite a bit of hardware last Tuesday.
The store, owned by Megan and Joe Spratt, won best business in the Age Friendly Awards competition, and the grocery store’s Susan Chapman was named employee of the year.
Sheila Hare (L), the service person of the year, Megan and Joe Spratt of Rosetown AG Foods, the business of the year, Susan Chapman, their employee of the year, and Lilian Hayes, the student employee of the year, pose with their trophies following the Business Awards of Excellence program presented by Rosetown Age Friendly at the United Church last Tuesday. Photo by Ian MacKay
Lilian Hayes from Athlete’s Haven was named student employee of the year, while Sheila Hare, head cook at Orange Memories, became the first service employee of the year in the Awards of Excellence program.
“It’s a real pleasure to award this,” presenter Ann Rice said before revealing AG Foods as the business winner. “It’s a beautiful store and they’ve worked so hard to make it what it is,” Rice said soon after.
“Joe, Megan and their staff have done so much work to provide a clean, bright, fully stocked grocery store,” one nominator wrote. They “go over and above to provide excellent customer service” in “a friendly, welcoming atmosphere.”
“Joe and Megan are very supportive of fundraising events,” the person wrote. “We are so fortunate to have a young couple purchase this store and work so very hard to renovate it and create a wonderful place for our local people to shop.”
Another nominator praised their “newly paved parking lot” and delivery service.
“We have so many organizations in our town that employ or have service workers, and it is such an important aspect of these organizations,” said Pat Aylward before presenting the award for health, personal or community service to Hare.
“Kind and compassionate, considerate and thoughtful, understanding and sensitive,” Hare “is responsible for everything from that nice little bowl of oatmeal in the morning to those special dinners that all the families get to attend with their loved ones,” her nomination said.
She’s “the first one” to residents’ rooms when someone falls ill, sends cookies when they go to the hospital and cooked sugar cookies for a few grandmothers to decorate when “they looked a little weary” as Christmas approached, her nominators wrote.
Chapman “is friendly, helpful and cheerful,” a nominator wrote. “She is aware of what is happening around her and steps in to help without being asked. One day when I had a load of groceries, some rather heavy, she offered to get a cart and take them to my car.”
Hayes “demonstrates maturity, empathy and respect, especially with older adults,” her nominator wrote. “She approaches every customer with patience and genuine care, ensuring they feel comfortable, heard and supported during their shopping experience.
“Whether she is helping an older customer find footwear that supports mobility and overall health, carrying items to the counter or simply taking time to engage in meaningful conversation, Lilian never rushes the interaction.”