E-Malt.com News article: USA: Anheuser-Busch retail program helps fight underage drinking

Anheuser-Busch and its distributors are helping to fight underage drinking through the company’s expanded “We I.D.”program, which is aimed at warning underage individuals to think twice before attempting to purchase alcohol beverages, the company announced on September 15th.

We I.D. is used by retailers to remind customers who purchase alcohol that they will be asked to show valid identification. Elements of the program include We I.D. posters and signage for cooler doors, driver’s license guides to help employees verify identifications, and clocks that show the date of the legal age required to purchase alcohol beverages.

“We’re always happy to see retailers doing the right thing and participating in programs like We I.D.,” added Kim Stettes, Senior Director of Corporate Social Responsibility at Anheuser-Busch. “And we’re thrilled to know our program can support and reinforce the good progress that’s been made on the underage drinking prevention front.”

JEWEL-OSCO, a leading Midwest food and drug retailer, is participating in We I.D. As part of the program, there will be point-of-sale reminders at all 183 JEWEL-OSCO locations in Illinois, Iowa and Indiana.

“Ensuring our associates are properly trained to check for identification and are supported with point-of-purchase materials to prevent the sale of liquor to minors is important in protecting our teens and the community,” said JEWEL-OSCO Compliance Program Organizer Connie Zaio. “Our top priority is our customers and the communities we serve.”

According to the federal government’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health issued last week, the majority of adolescents in Illinois, Iowa and Indiana, ages 12 to 17, do not drink. In addition, the federally funded University of Michigan Monitoring the Future study shows that past-month drinking among high-school seniors is at its lowest level since tracking began in 1975.

“We’ve seen how initiatives aimed at preventing youth access to alcohol can make a difference in our communities,” said Chicago’s 32nd Ward Alderman Scott Waguespack. “To have companies like Anheuser-Busch and JEWEL-OSCO lead the way on these types of programs is an immense benefit to the community and a model for other organizations to follow.”

11 Anheuser-Busch distributors are supporting the implementation of the We I.D. program, including River North Sales and Service, City Beverage – Chicago, City Beverage – Markham, Superior Beverage, City Beverage – Arlington Heights, City Beverage – Bloomington and Stern Beverage in Illinois; Calumet Breweries Inc., Tippecanoe Beverages Inc. and United Beverage Co. in Indiana; and Kirchhoff Distributing Co. in Iowa.

About JEWEL-OSCO

JEWEL-OSCO, a SUPERVALU company, operates 183 stores in Illinois, Iowa and Indiana. With a market-leading position in Chicago, JEWEL-OSCO stores offer consumers the convenience of combined grocery and pharmacy retail, in addition to services such as fuel centers at select locations. Originally established in 1899, the company and its associates remain committed to the communities they serve. For more information about JEWEL-OSCO, visit www.yourjewelosco.com.

About Anheuser-Busch

Anheuser-Busch is the industry leader in promoting responsibility. Since 1982, the company and its nationwide network of 600 wholesalers have invested more than $750 million in national advertising campaigns and community-based programs to promote responsible drinking and prevent alcohol abuse. In 2009, the company ranked first among all companies for social responsibility in FORTUNE magazine’s “World’s Most Admired Companies” list. For more information, visit www.beeresponsible.com.


18 September, 2009