Quality Foods announced on Friday that they have received 2,500 poppies ahead of Remembrance Day, in recognition of a donation to the Poppy Fund.
A company spokesperson told Victoria Buzz that the donation is an annual contribution by the Qualicum Beach-based company.
In a post to the company’s Facebook Page, Quality Foods says the poppies will be distributed to their stores so that any staff member can choose to wear one.
“The extra ‘pre-paid’ poppies will be available in-store for customers, to ensure the donation cost isn’t an obstacle for anyone that wants to wear a poppy with pride this year,” the company added.
Angus Stanfield, Dominion Vice-President and Chair for the Poppy and Remembrance Committee, says that companies and individuals don’t technically “buy” poppies.
Anyone who wants to wear a poppy can have one for free. Donations are welcomed in-person or online, via legion.ca.
Quality Foods says the donation was especially important this year due to the challenges the Poppy Fund is facing with COVID-19.
The grocery chain was started in 1982 by Qualicum Beach residents Ken Schley, John Briuolo and Noel Hayward, and later sold in 2017 to B.C-based Jim Pattison Group.
