Chandler resident earns grocery industry honor

TOLLESON — Pam Giannonatti, corporate affairs manager for Fry’s Food Stores Arizona, was recently recognized as one of 2024’s ‘Top Women in Grocery’ by Progressive Grocer magazine.

Giannonatti, a Chandler resident, is one of three Fry’s leaders to receive the national award recognizing women in grocery who display exceptional achievements both in and out of the office. She’ll be honored at the Progressive Grocer awards gala this November in Orlando, Fla.

With a career spanning 40 years, Giannonatti is one of Fry’s and Kroger’s most-tenured associates.

Giannonatti looks for ways to elevate the grocer’s story and drive the Zero Hunger-Zero Waste social impact plan, which provided more than 16 million meals to hungry Arizonans in 2023.

She met with Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs and legislators to share Fry’s work in this space and also facilitated Fry’s first press conference with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, government officials, and major retailers to discuss plans to combat organized retail theft.

“I am humbled and honored to be named among the 67 women across the Kroger Family of Companies who were chosen to represent this year’s Top Women in Grocery,” said Giannonatti. “Arizona has my heart and I’m grateful that I’ve gotten to make an impact in the local communities I love so much. The work I’ve gotten to do at Fry’s over the last 40 years has been fulfilling in ways I cannot describe and It’s a blessing to be acknowledged in this way from the leaders I admire so much. This experience has been truly uplifting and I’m thankful for every moment.”

Giannonatti was also recently honored as a “Game Changer” by the American Cancer Society — a designation that recognizes leaders who provide support in the fight against cancer.

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