Giant Eagle, Inc. is one of the nation’s largest food retailers and food distributors, with more than $5.2 billion in annual sales. Founded in 1931, Giant Eagle now has grown to be a number-one regional supermarket retailer, with 139 corporate and 81 independently owned and operated stores located throughout Western Pennsylvania, Central and Northern Ohio, Northern West Virginia and Western Maryland. Giant Eagle employs over 35,000 workers within its network of stores, warehouses and corporate offices. Giant Eagle is currently ranked No. 28 on Forbes magazine’s largest private corporations list and is a past recipient of Progressive Grocer’s Retail Partner of the Year Award.
Project Opportunity
Through Project Opportunity, a three-phased initiative, Giant Eagle trains and employs students with disabilities. In Phase I, Giant Eagle works closely with public school teachers to train students about the world of work, including how to interview effectively, dress for success and behave professionally on the job. In Phase II, the company places students in a central store for a short period of time in order to evaluate their abilities in assigned positions. During Phase III, students who meet the qualifications in Phase II are offered full-time employment in local neighborhood stores and are assigned job coaches to ensure further success.
As a result of this innovative project, Giant Eagle has been able to increase the opportunity for students with disabilities to be included in its workforce.
