Tim Hortons was, at first glance, the best-known sponsor of the National Organization for Marriage’s Aug. 16 antigay fund-raiser, cookout and “worship service” in Warwick, R.I.
(NOM hopes to preserve heterosexist laws against marriage in Rhode Island, the only New England state not to offer marriage equality. Various bills are pending in the statehouse to either legalize or prohibit marriage or domestic-partnership rights for same-sex couples.)
Now a TWO commenter points out that another sponsor, Blount Fine Foods of Fall River, Mass., supplies rebranded foods for Legal Sea Foods and Panera Bread.
Please contact Blount Fine Foods and Legal Sea Foods. Politely ask them why Blount is sponsoring an antigay event that undermines the religious and individual freedom of GLBT customers of Legal Sea Foods — and why is Legal Sea Foods doing business with vendors that choose to harm Legal’s valued customers.
Blount Fine Foods
630 Currant Road
Fall River, MA 02720
Phone: (774) 888-1300
Email: info@blountfinefoods.com
Legal Sea Foods
Quality Control Center
One Seafood Way
Boston, MA 02210
(617) 530-9000
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The following should be attributed to Blount Fine Foods of Fall River, Massachusetts.
“Corporate philanthropy and good citizenship has been part of Blount’ mission since inception. In keeping with that, we have a long track record of donating Blount-brand chowder and other products to all non-profits in our home area that request it for events. These donations of soup are just simple gestures of goodwill and were certainly not intended to be interpreted otherwise. It’ very concerning to us that anyone would think otherwise and as a result, we will review our policy going forward.”
Comment by Blount Fine Foods — August 10, 2009 @ 4:48 pm
@Comment number 1 by Blount Fine Foods, I don’t know who actually posted it.
First, there is absolutely no public statement on the website where this comment sends the reader.
Seondly, good citizenship does not include withholding civil rights from an entire group of people.
Thirdly, (if this was a representative of BFF) your home area is Fall River and Boston, MA, since when is Rhode Island, the home area of Blount “Fine” Foods?
And lastly I personally would like to know what the sales pitch the NOM folks brought to you. Did they lie or mislead you in any way?
Comment by Dave — August 10, 2009 @ 8:30 pm
Hi, Dave,
Fall River, Mass., is actually part of the Providence metropolitan area. :-) And Blount has two production facilities in the same area. (Boston is located about one hour north.)
I agree with your other points, however — and your final question deserves a response.
Comment by Michael Airhart — August 10, 2009 @ 8:47 pm
Thanks for the clarification Michael.
Comment by Dave — August 10, 2009 @ 8:48 pm
Comment #1 was posted by Larry Marchese, P.R. agent for Blount Fine Foods. Email: lmarchese@castleshore.com.
Comment by Michael Airhart — August 10, 2009 @ 9:09 pm
So is he the “official” contact person?
Comment by Dave — August 10, 2009 @ 9:26 pm
What I mean by that is, is he the official contact person as opposed to sending e-mails to the “info@blountfinefoods.com” e-mail address?
Comment by Dave — August 10, 2009 @ 9:29 pm
I think it’s prudent to contact the company directly, with a copy to Mr. Marchese.
Comment by Michael Airhart — August 10, 2009 @ 9:46 pm
Larry Marchese has contacted TWO privately via e-mail and we are attempting to clarify his statement to us.
Comment by Michael Airhart — August 10, 2009 @ 10:07 pm
Thanks Michael. I put up a petition over at change.org with the “info” address as the one to send e-mails to. :)
Comment by Dave — August 10, 2009 @ 10:23 pm