Recognized for Excellence
SpartanNash received a Campus Forward Award for Excellence in Candidate Experience, DE&I, and Internship Programming.
This reflects SpartanNash's unwavering excellence and commitment to providing the best experience for the next generation of talent. SpartanNash invests in thoughtful candidate experiences with quick responses times and personalized communication, fostering inclusion during the recruitment process and at the company, and standout internship programs. See below for the highlights of their strategies in each one of these categories.
Excellence in Candidate Experience
The SpartanNash internship program offers unique and exciting opportunities for young professionals. In 2023, the company significantly expanded its internship program, and in 2024, it continued to build on this foundation with a strong focus on diversity and inclusion, aligned with its Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategy and goals. The HR team implemented a proactive early recruiting strategy, engaging with students through career fairs and leveraging digital platforms like LinkedIn and Handshake. This approach proved highly successful, resulting in the recruitment of 106 interns from 40 universities and colleges nationwide. Notably, the company’s current intern class achieved a 61% diversity representation, reflecting its dedication to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace.
Excellence in DE&I
This year, the SpartanNash HR team set a goal to achieve 55% diversity within the internship program and surpassed it, reaching 61%. This ensures representation of the BIPOC community, women and veterans. Selected interns come from over 40 colleges and universities across the U.S. To accommodate out-of-state Associates, the company partnered with Grand Valley State University to offer free housing, which helped attract a more diverse pool of candidates. Interns are encouraged to join an Associate Resource Group (ARG) as an additional professional development and networking opportunity. There are currently four ARGs targeted to: Veterans, young professionals, women and BIPOC communities. ARGs are an important component of a diverse and inclusive workplace, helping Associates feel a sense of belonging and connection within the organization.
Excellence in Internship Programming
The SpartanNash internship program is a 12-week paid program that begins with a comprehensive first week of onboarding. This includes networking, off-site team-building activities such as go-karting and bowling, retail store visits, distribution center tours, an in-person Company Town Hall meeting, volunteering and training. Throughout the summer, interns receive ongoing leadership training, a Capstone project, real-life work experience, personal interaction with the Executive Leadership Team and access to various networking events. They are also encouraged to participate in the company’s annual Helping Hands Day, a key event that exemplifies the company's Core Behavior of We Serve. This year, the company hosted the largest-ever Helping Hands Day at the DeVos Place Convention Center in downtown Grand Rapids, benefiting disaster relief nonprofit Convoy of Hope.
