From Bagger to VP: How Winn-Dixie Locks 1,000 Prices to Fight Hunger: Keith Cowie

How does a grocery store help feed an entire region? On this episode of Stick a Fork In It, Shannon sits down with Keith Cowie, Regional Vice President of Winn-Dixie, who started bagging groceries in Auburndale, Florida 37 years ago and now helps lead one of Tampa Bay's most community-driven grocery chains. Keith shares why people — not products — kept him in the business for nearly four decades, how Winn-Dixie locks the price on 1,000+ seasonal items to make groceries more affordable, and how in-store donation bags have raised $850,000 for over 100 local organizations in under a year through the partnership with Feeding Tampa Bay. What you'll learn: • Why Keith stayed 37 years — from bagger to Regional VP • How Winn-Dixie's price holds, app, and personalized coupons fight food costs • Inside the Feeding Tampa Bay partnership: holiday turkey distributions, Food for Families roundups, and donation bags • How store renewals (like Temple Terrace) and associate ideas shape the customer experience • Why the new Amazon delivery partnership is a lifeline for homebound neighbors After a day volunteering, Keith says he drives home extremely thankful — and it puts everything in perspective. This is what feeding and enriching a community really looks like. Get involved: Donate → feedingtampabay.org/donate Volunteer → feedingtampabay.org/volunteer #FeedingTampaBay #WinnDixie #StickAForkInIt Chapters / timestamps 0:00 Cold open 0:38 Welcome & the Winn-Dixie partnership 1:11 37 years in grocery — starting in Auburndale 3:33 Listening to the community — store renewals & customer feedback 5:38 Affordability: the app, price holds, personalized coupons 8:27 Disaster response & Food for Families 9:17 What a distribution day looks like 10:09 The annual holiday turkey distribution 10:45 The personal impact of volunteering 13:13 Donation bags: $850K to 100+ local nonprofits 15:12 The Winn-Dixie x Amazon delivery partnership This channel is designed to highlight the incredible people, programs, and partnerships helping solve hunger. Feeding Tampa Bay works across West Central Florida to provide food, resources, and pathways to stability for families and neighbors facing food insecurity. Through community leadership, volunteers, nonprofit partners, and innovative programs, Feeding Tampa Bay is working to create long-term solutions to hunger, poverty, and economic hardship. This channel shares the stories behind the work — from Tampa Bay changemakers and community leaders to volunteers and families whose lives are impacted every day. If you're looking for ways to help fight hunger in Tampa Bay, volunteer, donate, or get involved, you're in the right place. On this channel you’ll discover: • Inspiring Tampa Bay community leaders and changemakers • Behind-the-scenes looks at the Feeding Tampa Bay facility • Coverage of great Tampa Bay events and volunteer opportunities • Stories of neighbors helping neighbors • Programs designed to create long-term food security Feeding Tampa Bay serves 10 counties across West Central Florida, helping nearly 1 million neighbors annually through food distribution, partnerships, and innovative programs that address the root causes of hunger. Feeding Tampa Bay Programs Learn more about the programs featured on this channel: Feeding Tampa Bay Website: ftb.org/ Volunteer Opportunities: ftb.org/volunteer/ Fresh Force Workforce Development Program: ftb.org/freshforce How to Donate: ftb.org/donate Frequently Asked Questions How can I volunteer with Feeding Tampa Bay? Visit the volunteer page above to find opportunities throughout the Tampa Bay region. Where does Feeding Tampa Bay operate? Feeding Tampa Bay serves 10 counties across West Central Florida including Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Polk, Sarasota, and surrounding communities. How can I help fight hunger locally? You can volunteer, donate, attend community events, or partner with Feeding Tampa Bay to help expand access to food and resources. Subscribe for More Tampa Bay Stories This channel highlights the people, programs, and partnerships changing lives across Tampa Bay. Subscribe to meet inspiring guests, learn about community initiatives, and discover how you can help create a hunger-free future. #FeedingTampaBay #TampaBayCommunity #EndHunger #TampaBayVolunteers #FoodInsecuritySolutions