WINTER 2025
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
INSIDE THIS ISSUE OPERATIONS APPRECIATION WEEK SHAMROCK FOODSERVICE WAREHOUSE GRAND OPENINGS EARLY SHAMROCK STORIES
From the McClelland Family 2025 HOLIDAY MESSAGE
From the family kitchen where we are baking candy cane cookies and gingerbread men (and sometimes gingerbread cows) to the sound of A Charlie Brown Christmas – Nollaig shona dhuit, an Irish “happy Christmas to all.”
“
An Irish Blessing
May peace and plenty be the first to lift the latch on your door, and may happiness be guided to your home by the candle of Christmas.
”
Let us be humble in heart and grateful in Spirit in this joyous season. To all our extended Shamrock Family, a very Merry Christmas. Kent, Celia, Devon, Chandra, Kera, Kyle, Poppy, and Robin
2
IN THIS ISSUE Early Shamrock Stories
4
Operations Appreciation Week
6
Developing Leaders Across Shamrock
8
Updates from Across the West 10 EXPO2025 14 Shamrock Foodservice Warehouse 16 IFDA Competition 18 Manufacturing 19 Shamrock Farms 20 In the Community 22 Total Wellbeing 23
WHERE’S ROXIE?
Roxie is hiding all throughout Shamrock News!
Can you find her in 5 different places? ANSWERS ON PAGE 23
Shamrock News is a publication developed by associate article and photo submissions. The staff has made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information presented within its publication. Due to the large amount of participation, we may not catch an error or two, and we apologize. The opinions and recommendations expressed by individual authors within this magazine are not necessarily those of the Shamrock News staff. We appreciate any feedback you may have, and will do our best to provide you with an entertaining and educational magazine.
– READER FEEDBACK – shamrocknews@shamrockfoods.com
The Shamrock News is published several times throughout the year. For more updates from Shamrock and our associate family, please visit The Shamrock Dish.
3
EARLY SHAMROCK STORIES SETTLING IN TUCSON After returning from service in the U.S. Army, W.T. McClelland put down roots in Tucson, Arizona. His heart, however, remained in Ireland with Winifred Parker and he engaged in a long-distance courtship with her across the Atlantic Ocean. Winifred traveled with her brother, Bill Parker, to Arizona in December 1920. Arriving the day after Christmas, Winnie and W.T. were married the following day, and later became affectionately known as Mr. and Mrs. Mac.
Young Frances (left) and young Norman (below).
GROWING UP SHAMROCK Frances McClelland, the eldest of the second generation, was born in 1923, nearly one year after her parents founded the dairy. At age 3, she requested a brother and Norman arrived in 1927. Frances and Norman grew up on the farm, playing in the fields and riding the dairy cows, careful to stay away from the bulls. They’d stay outside until dinnertime and shared all the household chores equally. As they grew, so did their responsibilities for the dairy. W.T. and Winifred McClelland
MR. MAC COIN TOSS Shamrock is known for being one of the first dairies to implement the pasteurization process, but few realize why. Mr. Mac flipped a coin with his friend Henry Peterson, who owned Holstein Dairy. The loser had to purchase the pasteurizer and pasteurize all the milk for both dairies. Mr. Mac lost the coin toss but won in the long run.
NAMING SHAMROCK In 1922, Winnie’s mother, Margaret Jane Wright, suggested the name Shamrock for the dairy and Mr. Mac agreed that the Irish national symbol was the perfect choice. Each of the three leaves represented something important within the company – the officers and administration,
W.T. McClelland – “Mr. Mac”
THE ORIGINAL CHOCOLATE CHIP ICE CREAM A Shamrock Ice Cream associate named Joe Williams felt he really goofed one day after accidentally pouring chocolate coating for Eskimo Pie Ice Cream Bars into a batch of vanilla ice cream. The final product featured thin chocolate flakes. While a big mistake in Joe’s mind, the product ended up selling very well at the local drug store. Little did Joe know what excellence he had tapped into, creating an early version of Chocolate Chip ice cream!
the associates, and the customers. Each leaf needs the other to complete the ideal of a rewarding enterprise and it is the harmony represented by all three leaves that forms the Shamrock image.
4
20 COWS AND A MODEL T DELIVERY TRUCK
THE FIRST SHAMROCK NEWS EDITION NORMAN P. McCLELLAND
Shamrock News is no longer a dream but a reality, following many months of planning and hard work. Our first issue comes to you and your family with my best wishes for joy and happiness at this Christmas Season. I hope you will enjoy reading about “what’s happening” in our Shamrock organization in this issue and those that follow. You will meet many old friends and some newcomers that make up our wonderful Shamrock family throughout the State of Arizona. Ours is a growing and expanding company because we have with us the best people in the dairy and institutional food business. Whatever successes have been achieved are because of your loyalty and dedication to Shamrock. The opportunities for our corporate expansion are numerous and we have growth plans for this year and for the next three to five years. Through Shamrock News we’ll keep you informed. Please accept my sincere thanks for your help in a job well done. Norman P. McClelland The First Shamrock News, published in the Holiday Season of 1969.
Mr. Mac’s obituary, published in 1968.
A HANDSHAKE DEAL They say business used to be done with honor and a handshake, and that is true at Shamrock. When Shamrock decided to get into the foodservice business, they agreed to purchase Dora Brothers Distributing Company in Globe, Arizona. The attorneys were taking too long for the owners’ liking, so on January 1, 1966, Norman and Joe Dora just shook hands and went ahead with the deal – without a contract. The actual written agreement wasn’t signed for another six weeks, but it all worked out fine for both sides. PACK A LUNCH In 2001, when faced with challenges while building a new automated warehouse, Norman (74 years old at the time) and Kent were in that warehouse every single day for seven months working 16 to 20 hours a day. Many people would
give up. Not the McClellands. Day in and day out, they’d get right back to it and give 100 percent. No wonder it’s been said that if anyone wants to wait for the McClelland family to give up on something, they better pack a lunch, because they’re going to be waiting a while. A GRAND SLAM PARTNERSHIP In 1998, Jerry Colangelo successfully brought professional baseball to the Valley with the Arizona Diamondbacks in the National League West Division and Shamrock Farms signed on as an official sponsor. One year later, Arizona Diamondbacks fan Gylene Hoyle defied all odds by winning $1 million in the Shamrock Farms Grand Slam Sundae ice cream promotion by choosing Jay Bell to hit a grand slam in the 6th inning. The odds of this happening were 1 in 116 seasons.
Norman McClelland
5
OPERATIONS APPRECIATION WEEK 2025 Every year, Operations Appreciation Week is a powerful reminder of the people who keep Shamrock running strong. Across every branch, teams came together to recognize our drivers, warehouse, manufacturing, maintenance, and support associates whose hard work and reliability make our standard of operational excellence possible. From heartfelt shoutouts to local celebrations, the week was filled with gratitude for the associates who deliver day in and day out. Thank you for all you do to support our customers, our communities, and each other.
COLORADO
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
PORTLAND
6
ARIZONA
FSW BILLINGS
NEW MEXICO
ROXIE EAST
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
FSW FT COLLINS
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
IDAHO
ARIZONA
FLEET
ARIZONA TRANSPORTATION
7
DEVELOPING LEADERS ACROSS SHAMROCK SHAMROCK LEADERS TRAINING PROGRAM 2025 At Shamrock, leadership is more than a title, it’s a commitment to growing people and delivering results. The Shamrock Leaders program was launched to develop and empower leaders at every level of the organization, equipping them with tools, mindset, and support to lead with purpose. Since its launch, teams of leaders from all operations locations have participated in workshops, coaching sessions, and hands-on learning experiences focused on communication, accountability, and team development. From Resilience 180 training to peer learning cohorts, the program continues to build a strong foundation of leadership that reflects our values and drives our success.
WE’RE NOT DONE YET! The Shamrock Leaders program is continuing to develop new and incoming leaders as well as expanding training to Sales and Home Office to ensure that all levels of Shamrock’s managers are equipped with the tools they need to best support their teams.
8
THE FRANCES COLLABORATIVE We believe in growing outstanding leaders – and that includes creating space for women to connect, develop, and thrive. The Frances Collaborative is a company-wide organization dedicated to supporting women in business through networking, education, mentorship, and volunteer opportunities. Named in honor of Frances McClelland, a trailblazing leader and philanthropist who helped shape Shamrock’s legacy, the Collaborative continues her mission of empowering others. Whether you’re just starting your career or looking to expand your leadership, this is your place to grow alongside trusted colleagues and mentors. Join the Frances Collaborative’s Shamrock Dish group to learn more!
SHAMROCK STUDENTS: WHERE CAREERS BEGIN At Shamrock, we believe in investing in the next generation of leaders – and our professional internship program, Shamrock Students, is where that journey begins. This 11-week experience gives college students hands-on exposure to our business, meaningful group projects, guided facility tours, and opportunities to give back through community service. With mentorship from seasoned professionals and real-world learning, Shamrock Students graduate with the tools to launch successful careers – and many go on to join our team full-time. Know an outstanding student? Refer them to Shamrock Students for Class of 2026!
9
UPDATES FROM ACROSS THE WEST ARIZONA
COLORADO
ARIZONA BRANCH KICKS OFF THE NEW FISCAL YEAR WITH GENERAL SALES MEETING
COLORADO TEAM FAMILY SOCIAL AT PINDUSTRY Colorado associates enjoyed a family social to close out the summer months. About 850 associates and families attended the event held at Pindustry, a Shamrock Foods customer. Guests enjoyed food and a cornhole tournament, with the big winners being Joe Porter and Grant Dobbie!
Arizona Foods held its first general sales meeting of Fiscal Year 2026 in November. The meeting featured breakout sessions focusing on One Team with Operations, Transportation and Supply Chain, Pier 22 Seafood CO., and Gold Canyon Meat CO. The meeting also included a vendor fair with about 54 suppliers in attendance.
AZ FOODS KITCHEN NOW OPEN! Shamrock Foods Arizona’s new kitchen is officially open! The kitchen is designed to help them have more in-depth conversations with their customers in a warm, upscale environment.
HALLOWEEN GSM & VENDOR FAIR Shamrock Foods Colorado’s Halloween-themed GSM & Vendor Fair brought together 40 vendors for an energetic showcase of innovation and seasonal inspiration. Sales reps explored new Gold Canyon Meat CO. carne asada options from the Sobremesa line.
This is a great opportunity to showcase their facility and the support they can offer to customers, and they look forward to welcoming associates and customers alike.
They also learned about the launch of the ProPak Glove Right Product Initiative and discovered creative ways to incorporate Artisanal Provisions into holiday entertaining and specialty celebrations. The event delivered valuable product insights, festive engagement, and strong momentum heading into the holiday season.
Visiting the yard in Prescott, AZ
10
IDAHO
The transportation team visiting resident yards in Utah and Idaho to meet with the drivers and promote open enrollment with HR.
Transportation and Warehouse leadership teams celebrate with associates by preparing and serving pulled pork sandwiches and handing out fresh baked cookies.
PORTLAND NEW YARD FOR PORTLAND TRANSPORTATION TEAM Portland is enjoying a new truck yard for its Seattle metro drivers. The yard features power jack charging and restrooms for the drivers, as well as 24-hour on-site staffing for equipment security. Drivers also benefit from a significantly reduced commute time thanks to the yard location.
Catching up with John Underwood in Montana
MONTANA CRAVE SHOWCASE This year’s CRAVE Showcase held in Bozeman, MT, was enjoyed by nearly 200 customers. All Shamrock Family of Brands had a strong presence, as did an additional 44 suppliers. The event was held at the Field and Stream Lodge, where attendees enjoyed tasting samples of new and local products, exploring culinary trends, and gathering menu inspiration. 11
NEW MEXICO SHAMROCK FOODS NEW MEXICO RECEIVES AWARD AT CERTIFIED ANGUS BEEF CONFERENCE Congratulations to our New Mexico COP Team on receiving an award for the 2025 Top Sales Volume Large Broadline Foodservice Distributor at the Certified Angus Beef Conference in September. The team has now earned this award for the past four years, which is a huge accomplishment and testament to the great partnership our New Mexico team has with Certified Angus Beef.
“LUNCH AND LEARN” FOR NEW ASSOCIATES Shamrock Foods New Mexico welcomed new associates to a “Lunch and Learn” day at the office. Associates learned about product and system updates as well as COP training. Of course, COP’s Starson Roy also provided the main course for lunch!
SACRAMENTO FAMILY FUN DAY
In late August, Shamrock Foods Sacramento held a family fun day at Golfland Sunsplash, where 150 attendees enjoyed a fun-filled day of waterslides, a wave pool and food.
12
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CALIFORNIA RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION GOLF TOURNAMENT Shamrock Foods SoCal was the lunch sponsor for the San Diego Chapter of the California Restaurant Association’s Golf Tournament. David Underwood, Center of the Plate Specialist was onsite grilling hamburgers for participants, and the sales team participated in the tournament.
TROPICAL VENDOR FAIR
DSR winners were Travis Issacs (1st place), Eddie Valenzuela (2nd place), and Bo Kobel (3rd place).
This summer, the SoCal team hosted a tropicalthemed vendor fair at its General Sales Meeting, with the team dressing up and distributing leis at the general session. Winners were announced for the Tropical Takeover Summer Sales quarterly promotion, which consisted of sales teams earning points on select Exclusive Brands and Family of Brands items, as well as sponsored supplier items. DSR winners were Bo Kobel (3rd place), Eddie Valenzuela (2nd place) and Travis Issacs (1st place), earning $6,000, $2,000 and $1,000 stars, respectively. DSM’s Josh Paradissis (1st place) earned $2,000 stars, and Mark Davidson (2nd place) earned $1,000.
HOME OFFICE NEW ITEMS TASTE-TESTING Shamrock Foods recently hosted its first-ever in-person New Items Cutting. It was an exciting two-day event that brought together Category Management, Business Resource Managers, Branch Marketing Managers, and more from across all branches. Together, we sampled 66 new products from 30 supplier partners, all vying for a spot in our upcoming lineup. The resulting New Items RPI launches this February. Get ready!
Customer Care Appreciation Week 2025 – thank you for all you do!
13
EXPO25: DELICIOUS FLAVORS. FRESH THINKING. SERIOUS SAVINGS. Industry experts, premier chefs, restaurant owners, and operations consultants came together at Shamrock Foods EXPO to explore the latest trends, sample new items and menu ideas, and take advantage of exclusive promotions and solutions. More than 12,000 customers attended shows across Phoenix, San Diego, Denver, Boise and Albuquerque with each location featuring 200+ suppliers. EXPO25 turned up the flavor, from appetizers to desserts, boasting fresh culinary inspiration and hundreds of craveworthy new items, cutting-edge ingredients, flavor-forward innovations and trending concepts. Suppliers exceeded expectations by not only introducing their products but also serving up creative applications and menu-ready ideas. Showstoppers included Bella Bello’s pizza oven, the colorful produce market curated by Markon, fresh flavors presented by Sobremesa, and diverse offerings from all of Shamrock’s Family of Brands, including Gold Canyon Meat CO., Pier 22 Seafood CO., Jensen Foods, Four Leaf Coffee Roasters, and Shamrock Farms. Chef Brooke Williamson – Los Angeles-based chef and customer, and Top Chef season 14 winner – joined local chefs at each EXPO for a Kitchen Conversation full of real insights, fresh perspectives, and honest talk about the industry. She also showed off her skills live in the Culinary Theater with a high-energy cooking demo featuring standout ingredients from Shamrock’s Family of Brands. Her recipe for Sesame Cones filled with Whipped CornFlavored Feta & Spicy Compressed Watermelon provided the perfect example of how playing with flavors can create something craveworthy, unique and memorable. Each EXPO culminated with everyone’s favorite Fired Up! Chef Challenge. Chef Williamson served as master of ceremonies as talented chefs from each market battled headto-head to create the best dish using a mystery box of ingredients. Thanks to everyone for making EXPO25 a standout success! 14
FIRED UP! CHEF CHALLENGE WINNERS ALBUQUERQUE Chef Dale Kester Executive Chef at Santacafé | Santa Fe, NM SAN DIEGO Chef Jammir Deveze-Moreno Executive Chef at The Remy | San Diego, CA PHOENIX Chef Zach Myers Executive Chef at Hush Public House | Scottsdale, AZ BOISE Chef Natasha Getchell Owner of Vincenzo Trattoria | Boise, ID DENVER Chef Geoff Cox Executive Chef at Chimera | Boulder, CO
2025
CUSTOMER APPRECIATION: PASSPORT TO PORTUGAL Shamrock Foods recognizes the importance of partnerships and takes time to strengthen and renew relationships through our Shamrock Rewards promotion. This year, Portugal provided a picturesque setting as we hosted 340 guests comprised of top customers, suppliers and Shamrock leadership. Lisboa (aka Lisbon) is the capital and largest city of Portugal, known for a blend of historic charm and modern vibrancy – much like our own familyowned and -operated company. It’s also recognized for delicious food, and our guests made the most of each culinary adventure. The week featured a mix of business sessions and leisure activities, culminating with a gala celebration at the famous Pátio de Galé. Shamrock-branded banners graced the historic building built in 1755, welcoming guests and serving as a reminder for both how very young our 103-year-old business is and its legacy potential. The evening concluded with one final toast to friendship, partnership and continued success.
RECIPE INSPIRATION GUIDE
EXPO25 INSPIRATION GUIDE This year’s official EXPO Inspiration Guide provides full access to the incredible recipes sampled at EXPO25. Download your copy today to enjoy the delicious flavors of EXPO all year long. 15
SHAMROCK FOODSERVICE WAREHOUSE SHAMROCK FOODSERVICE WAREHOUSE EXPANDS IN 2025 The Shamrock Foodservice Warehouse team was busy this fall with two new store openings in Arizona and Utah. The openings bring the company’s total store count to 15, expanding its presence in Arizona with an East Valley store and introducing its first store in Utah! The 25,000-square-foot Mesa store is located at 1120 S. Country Club Drive, and will largely serve East Valley customers. This store complements the Phoenix store located off the I-17 and Indian School Rd. The 28,000-square-foot Sandy, Utah store located at 785 E. South Boulder Rd. will serve Salt Lake City and the surrounding area.
New FSW location at Sandy, UT
16
Both the Mesa and Sandy grand opening celebrations featured chef demonstrations, exclusive giveaways for the first 100 customers, special savings, and product sampling. Each opening also served as the kick-off to a month-long food drive benefiting United Food Bank for Mesa and Utah Food Bank for Sandy, with Shamrock Foodservice Warehouse donating an initial $5,000 at each opening to jumpstart the drives. The team at Shamrock Foodservice Warehouse is beyond excited to join the Mesa and Sandy communities. Thank you and congratulations to all the associates who made these two openings a success. And to all Shamrock associates, please support the new stores while enjoying your 10% discount every time you shop!
New FSW location at Mesa, AZ
17
ANNUAL IFDA COMPETITION 2025 IFDA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS 2025 Shamrock Foods operations earned participation in this year’s International Foodservice Distribution Association (IFDA) National Championships in Orlando, Florida, an event celebrating the best in warehouse Operations and truck driving based on performance, safety, and skill. The event was enjoyable for everyone, with Shamrock’s 23 competitors having significant family support. A special shout out to all who attended and the 13 volunteers that helped make the event possible. This year featured a new kids’ essay contest, where children explained why their “competitor” is their hero. Three Shamrock associates’ children were essay contest winners including:
KIDS ESSAY CONTEST WINNERS 1ST PLACE
2ND PLACE
3RD PLACE
Ilyana Vasquez
Micky Parker
Natalie Heredia
9-12th grade
6-8th grade
9-12th grade
18
MANUFACTURING GOLD CANYON MEAT CO. PLANT EXPANSION UPDATE
CONGRATULATIONS, DANNY MORA!
Phase two of Arizona’s Gold Canyon Meat CO. plant is complete. The upgrades – expanded cooler storage, additional dock space, an expanded dry age room, and dedicated shipping and receiving docks – create streamlined operations that will support future growth.
Danny Mora is retiring in December 2025 after 36 years with Shamrock Foods. Danny has been a protein buyer, specifically chicken, for the entirety of his career with Shamrock. Danny is looking forward to spending more time with his family and dedicating time to his true passion, wrenching on cars and trucks. We wish Danny all the best in retirement!
NEW FILLING LINE UP AND RUNNING IN VIRGINIA The new, technologically advanced filling line at the Virginia dairy plant is officially up and running. The line will help support Shamrock Farms’ continued national expansion by streamlining workflow and boosting both speed and capacity. A sincere thank you goes out to the entire team whose hard work, dedication, and expertise made this project possible. Your efforts have set the stage for continued growth and success.
CONGRATULATIONS TO RENE LUDLOW, NEARLY 3 DECADES AT SHAMROCK Rene Ludlow is retiring after 29 years with Shamrock Farms. Currently the Dairy’s Operations Manager, Rene’s career has come full circle, as her first job was also in the dairy main offices as a Dairy Account Coordinator. Through the years, she’s excelled in various roles and departments, including customer care, distribution, and operations for both Shamrock Farms and Gold Canyon Meat CO. In her retirement, Rene plans to garden and harvest fruit from her own 23-tree orchard on over 6 acres in Tennessee. Congratulations Rene! We wish you all the best! 19
VDOT ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY Roxie East volunteers conducted their annual team clean-up event for Mill Place Parkway Industrial Park, where the Virginia dairy is located. The effort ensures the road remains litter-free and supports the permit requirements for the on-site Shamrock Farms sign.
Jason Mikels, Coldroom Manager and Patrick Schell, HRBP, excited to do the VDOT Adopt-A-Highway clean up for 2025
SHAMROCK FARMS
THE LATEST "mmmMOOS" SEPTEMBER HUNGER ACTION MONTH Shamrock Farms and St. Mary’s Food Bank collaborated with State Forty Eight to develop a limited-edition branded T-shirt that raised awareness of Hunger Action Month and earned food and milk donations for St. Mary’s Food Bank. Available to associates via internal presale and the general public online the month of September, every Hunger Action Month T-shirt sold earned 25 meals and 25 servings of milk for the families St. Mary’s Food Bank serves. T-shirt sales kicked off publicly on Tuesday, September 2, when Shamrock Farms associates volunteered at St. Mary’s Food Bank to help distribute 500 Emergency Food Boxes for Arizona families in need. The hometown dairy added a full gallon of milk to each box prepared that day, as well as treating families to a taste of fall by including a bottle of Pumpkin Spice Eggnog. The program brought to life Shamrock Farms longstanding commitment to community and was featured on 16 different local news segments. In all, 300 T-shirts were sold, earning 7,500 meals and matching servings of milk for St. Mary’s Food Bank!
THANKSGIVING HERO: HEAVY WHIPPING CREAM Shamrock Farms Heavy Whipping Cream is a Thanksgiving Hero and the delicious difference maker in mashed potatoes. Marketing launched a multi-faceted campaign around Thanksgiving Hero, introducing the character Grandma Ina to deliver messages online. Mashed Potato recipes are also the star of a partnership with Chef Christopher Collins and two influencer activations. Chef Collins developed five mouth-watering mashed potato recipes, shared on 3TV AZ Family and influencer Hungry Hotline. Arizona’s favorite Latina Grandmother, Salty Cocina, also developed Smashed Potatoes with a Latin Twist, featured on its own and as part of a bigger holiday recipe collection. All of Chef Collins mashed potato recipes are available at shamrockfarms.net. Grandma Ina
Mashed potatoes by Chef Christopher Collins
Scan to download our holiday recipes!
20
NEW ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIP Shamrock Farms announced a five-year partnership with Arizona State University Athletics and the W.P. School of Business, reflecting a shared commitment to health, performance, and community – values that define both organizations. All student-athletes now enjoy access to Shamrock Farms milk and Rockin’ Protein ready-to-drink protein beverage, and the Nutrition Bar in the Butterfield, Kent, Furst Student-Athlete Facility will be known as the Rockin’ Protein Refuel Bar. Rockin’ Protein will also be at ASU football, basketball (men’s and women’s), and baseball games. Beyond athletics, the agreement supports educational excellence through the W.P. Carey School of Business’ esteemed Morrison School of Agribusiness and Supply Chain Executive Consortium as well as the Career Services Employment Partnership Program. The official extended partnership also means that Shamrock Farms is once again, a house divided – a proud partner of ASU and UofA!
JOY TO THE HERD
AS SEEN ON TV
Shamrock Farms once again opened its doors for the annual Joy to the Herd Holiday event on December 6th and 7th where families and many associates enjoyed our classic farm tour with a holiday twist including visits with Roxie, festive décor, holiday treats and more.
From behind-the-scenes product production to cultured culinary segments and college football tailgating to community giving and supporting high school sports, Shamrock Farms was featured in more than 25 TV segments on Arizona television stations this fall.
TEAM ROCKIN’ ARIZONA HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM Team Rockin’ is a group of professional athletes, college teams and athletes and 33 Arizona high school teams that fuel with Rockin’ Protein. The program is all about helping the next generation of athletes give their bodies the nourishment they need, and this year 33 schools are part of the team (a 97% retention rate with 27% new participants). Each participating school receives 10 cases of Rockin’ Protein Chocolate Recovery per week, and they promote the brand through various marketing activations, such as in-game PA announcements, social media posts with the product, and a Rockin’ Protein banner on their field. The hometown dairy further extended high school support by sponsoring CW7’s “AZ Daily Mix” Pep Rallies and Game of the Week this season. Shamrock Farms was featured online and during the broadcasts, with Roxie making appearances at three Pep Rallies in person and fueling up students with a delicious mix of Shamrock Farms flavored milk and Rockin’ Protein.
21
IN THE COMMUNITY 2025 RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE AWARD RECIPIENT
TIM KELLY RECEIVES AFMA AWARD Our very own Tim Kelly was honored with the Arizona Food Marketing Alliance (AFMA) 2025 Supplier of the Year Award. This recognition highlights his leadership and significant contributions to the food industry in Arizona, particularly through his role in driving the growth and innovation of Shamrock Farms. The award reflects his dedication and the strong partnership Shamrock maintains with the Arizona retail industry.
COMMUNITY GIVING
Shamrock Foods Company was proudly honored as this year’s 2025 Corporate Heart of the House recipient by the Ronald McDonald House. Over a 20-year-long partnership, Shamrock has become an integral part of Ronald McDonald House mission, supporting the organization through weekly milk deliveries, hands-on volunteerism where associates regularly volunteer as Dinner Time Heroes, and preparing meals that bring comfort and connection.
The Shamrock-sponsored 2025 Bike MS race was a success with over 8 Team Shamrock riders!
DELIVERING TURKEYS TO LUKE AIRFORCE BASE Shamrock Foods Company proudly donated 100 Butterball turkeys to Airmen of the 944th Fighter Wing at Luke Air Force Base as they wrapped up Exercise Desert Hammer. This marks our second consecutive year supporting Luke AFB during Thanksgiving. Thank you for the incredible support from AZ Foods and Foodservice Warehouse to make this holiday brighter and a heartfelt thank you to our associates – Adam Laakso, Matt Casaday, Jordan DeSpong, Stacey Chavez – and the FSW Phoenix team for bringing our giving pillars of Faith, Family, Friends, and Freedom to life.
22
Shamrock regularly donates to local foodbanks in the communities we serve. In 2025, we donated over $3 million in food and dairy products to these partner organizations.
TOTAL WELLBEING CARE PARTNERS ARE HERE FOR YOU
WELLNESS REWARDS: START THE NEW YEAR STRONG
The holidays can be a joyful time – but they can also bring stress, grief, or feelings of loneliness. That’s why Shamrock offers 24/7 support through our Marketplace Care Partners program. These trained chaplain counselors are available to all associates and their families, whether you’re navigating a personal challenge, relationship issue, financial stress, or just need someone to talk to. They’re here to listen, support, and walk alongside you – at work, at home, or even over the phone. Look for the blue vest at your location or call (972) 941-1440 to connect with a Care Partner today.
Thinking about a fresh start in 2026? Get a head start on your health goals – and your savings – by completing a qualifying health physical now through July 31, 2026. It’s the first step toward earning a discount on your 2027 healthcare premiums through Shamrock’s Wellness Rewards program. It’s simple, it’s proactive, and it’s a great way to invest in your health and your wallet. Schedule your physical or qualifying health visit today and take one more step toward Total Wellbeing!
TRANSFORMING HEALTH AND ENERGY: CHRISTOPHER MAYES’ TOTAL WELLBEING JOURNEY At Shamrock Foods, we believe that supporting our associates’ health is key to helping them thrive – both at work and at home. For Christopher Mayes, a member of our Arizona Foods Sales Team, the Total Wellbeing program has been life-changing.
the day to spend with my family.” That renewed vitality has made a difference in both his professional performance and personal life. Mayes also uses other Total Wellbeing resources, including blood glucose monitoring through Livongo, blood pressure management tools, and the food tracker in the app. These tools, combined with strong encouragement from his team and family, have helped him stay committed. “If you have a health goal, Shamrock Foods has made it more accessible with incredible benefits and tools,” he emphasizes. “If you’re not using these programs, you’re missing out on a big part of your compensation package.”
Mayes joined the Found weight management program and quickly discovered tools that made healthy living achievable. “The app is easy to use and fits seamlessly into my daily life,” he says. The results have been remarkable: Mayes has lost over 100 pounds, reduced his pant size from 48/50 to 38, and gone from a 3XLT shirt to an XL. Beyond the numbers, he shares, “This journey has given me more confidence and the opportunity to live a more active lifestyle with my family.”
Mayes’ story is a powerful reminder that wellness is not just about physical health – it’s about confidence, energy, and living life to the fullest. His success shows what’s possible through Shamrock Total Wellbeing.
23
Roxie is hidden on the following pages: page 7 (Northern California), page 10 (Visiting the yard in Prescott, Arizona), page 13 (Happy Customer Appreciation Day), page 14 (EXPO photos: second row, first image), page 18 (second row, third image)
The impact extends to his work. “My energy levels have increased tremendously, and I can manage long days in sales,” Mayes explains. “I even have energy left at the end of
Shamrock Foods Company 3900 East Camelback Road, Suite 300 Phoenix, AZ 85018
Introducing SoundBite, Shamrock’s new podcast delivering you bite-sized information and updates from across the organization! Listen today on the Shamrock Dish!