Alfred Cralle received a patent for his invention, the ice cream scoop, in 1897

Stop & Shop Honors African American Food Industry Innovators During Black History Month

Written By: Talk of the Sound News

Purchase, NY —- Stop & Shop Supermarket will celebrate Black History Month this February with the release of its annual Profiles in Excellence brochure celebrating significant contributions to society made by African Americans. This year’s brochure highlights African American inventors and innovators who changed the food industry. This marks the 23rd year the grocer has published its Profiles in Excellence brochures.

Profiles in Excellence will be available in all Stop & Shop stores, while supplies last, beginning February 1, 2015. Stop & Shop has two locations in New Rochelle (2425 Palmer Avenue and 28 Harrison Street), as well as nearby locations in Mamaroneck, NY (1326 East Boston Post Road) and Eastchester, NY (420 White Plains Road).

The inventors and innovators featured in this year’s brochure includes George Washington Carver, who developed innovative new agricultural methods for a variety of plants, peanuts being the most famous; George Crum, inventor of the first potato chips; Augustus Jackson known as the “father of ice cream;” Alfred L. Cralle, inventor of the ice cream scoop; and Frederick Jones who developed a portable unit for cooling the air in trucks carrying perishables. These innovators exemplify excellence, and their personal stories are filled with perseverance and inspiration. 

Free copies of Stop & Shop’s Profiles in Excellence brochures have been provided to local schools and community organizations to be used as an educational tool to increase awareness about the achievements and contributions that African Americans have made throughout history.