Calandros changing policy? Accepting EBT?

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Dear Friends,

On June 25, one of our customers posted on social media about treatment she received at our Mid-City store. We have investigated this incident, taken employee statements, watched security camera footage, and have now concluded that there is no excuse for how we handled this incident. We have apologized directly to that customer, and we are apologizing now to the entire Baton Rouge community. The way our organization - staff and management - responded does not reflect our values. We especially treasure the diversity of the Mid-City community, and we want all our customers to feel welcome. We have addressed this incident with our staff and we have already begun making changes to ensure that nothing like this ever occurs again.

I personally appreciate this customer, along with others in our community, for bringing this to our attention because it gives us a chance to rectify it with her and to take a serious look at ourselves and determine where we need to improve. One of the things that we have learned from being in business for 76 years is that there is always something to learn. We pledge that we are redoubling our efforts to ensure that every Calandro’s customer is treated with the utmost dignity and respect. We are excited about the changes that are occurring in Mid-City and we pride ourselves in being a part of those changes in all the best ways.

Sincerely,

Blaise Calandro, Jr.

President/CEO/Owner
Calandro's Supermarket

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Will you allow people of color to work as cashiers?

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Allowing food stamps would convince me that you really share my values and want customers to feel welcome.

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Well said but it is late, Not fatally late. I will give y'all another chance. Accepting EBT cards would go a long way to show that you do respect the entire community

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Thank you for addressing these concerns. I am curious, were cashiers encouraged to remind customers like me that you don't accept food stamps or do they take it upon themselves to point this out? I enjoyed shopping with you years ago, but a safe environment is important to me. Please know I have an open mind and will be listening.

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Or if you don't accept EBT, tell us why not?

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Really want to know the answer to this one before I can shop there again. I live two blocks from your mid city location. Happy to travel further for overpriced, mediocre produce if this isn't answered. Were any of the employees involved terminated or punished? We need more info. This kind of half way apology just keeps the story going and makes people angrier. With good cause.

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When you say you are committed to treating every customer with dignity and respect do you also include customers on food stamps?

I live a couple of blocks away from a Calandros. I want to support you. I want to be excited about your store, but I always feel uncomfortable shopping there. Knowing that if I was poor, I wouldn't be welcomed doesn't feel right to me.

Let's be frank, the stereotype is that black people are on food stamps (we know that the majority of food stamp recipients are white). Not accepting food stamps is a not so subtle cue to your employees that black people aren't welcomed at your store.

Do you plan to address these systemic ways Calandros discriminates/excludes, or do you merely plan to address grievances individual by individual?

I don't mean to sound flippant or hyperbolic. I want to do my shopping exclusively at a local store. I want to support you. But until I know that I'd be just as welcome if I was black, I'm not going to be able to.

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Why don't you mention racism in your statement?

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