Albertsons offers Kwanzaa baskets this holiday season

Times-Herald Online ^ | 12/15/03 | RACHEL RASKIN-ZRIHEN, Times-Herald staff writer

[dce88]

Albertsons offers Kwanzaa baskets this holiday season

By RACHEL RASKIN-ZRIHEN, Times-Herald staff writer

Vallejo's Albertsons supermarket, 2001 Solano Ave., is one of several in the Bay Area in which the San Leandro-based company has introduced the sale of Kwanzaa baskets for the holiday season.

In Vallejo, the baskets have been on display in the floral department for about a week, said grocery manager Frani Dimond, but haven't been moving very well.

"We haven't sold any yet," Dimond said. "Maybe people don't know what they are."

What they are, are a collection of "everything one needs for the Kwanzaa holiday," according to an Albertsons promotional statement, which adds that company executives worked with "a select team of African-American vendors to create and design the Kwanzaa basket."

The baskets, which sell for $34.99, contain a specially designed doll that symbolizes the Griot, or "keeper of stories" in African culture; seven candles (Mishumaa Saba); a teak candle holder (Kinara); an ear of dried corn (Vibunzi/Muhindi); a straw place mate (Mkeka); the gift (Zawadi) and a booklet explaining the principals of Kwanzaa.

In addition to the Kwanzaa baskets, Albertsons is holding a Kwanzaa coloring contest. Children can pick up an entry at participating Albertsons stores, including Vallejo's and enter to win a field trip for their class to the African-American Museum and Library in Oakland during February's Black History Month. Entry deadline is Jan. 5.

The Fairfield, Vacaville and Suisun City Albertsons are also participating.

[snopercod]

I thought that all the Albertson's workers were on strike.

[My2Cents]

a collection of "everything one needs for the Kwanzaa holiday,"

What is it? -- an empty basket? (Since Kwanzaa is a fabricated holiday celebrating nothing in particular, a Kwanzaa basket would be an empty one, right?)

[bcoffey]

"We haven't sold any yet," Dimond said. "Maybe people don't know what they are."

Maybe that's because Kwanzaa is a "made up" holiday and NOBODY but the PC police and Grinch Gestapo know what it means.

[Sam's Army]

It would have an AK-47 and several Molotov cocktails for fighting the racist oppresion of the workers by the multinational corporations and their racist backers.

[sharkhawk]

I don't have a problem with the store selling these things, if there was a demand for them. But, it obvious just a PC attempt to pander to the loud mouths.

[Bikers4Bush]

That's what I was thinking as well.

[stainlessbanner]

a collection of "everything one needs for the Kwanzaa holiday"

No thanks, the truth will do.

[Eala]

Old, but good: The TRUTH about Kwanzaa

[My2Cents]

...along with applications for public assistance programs.

[My2Cents]

Not even most of the black community buys this nonsense. A survey last year (I think it was) found that most blacks celebrate Christmas, and give no notice of Kwanzaa.

[17th Miss Regt]

Don't forget to add used tires and gasoline for those Kwanzaa necklacings!

[Eris]

A basket packed with mentholated cigarettes, food stamps and shower caps.

Lovely.

[Eccl 10:2]

"I don't have a problem with the store selling these things, if there was a demand for them. But, it obvious just a PC attempt to pander to the loud mouths."

You mean, like Hillary's book?

[T'wit]

Better an empty basket than racially stereotyped foods. How insulting can they get?

[Hank Rearden]

Great.

They have this crap in stock, but when I go searching every supermarket for a Festivus Basket, oh noooooo - they don't have those.

Bustards.

[verity]

grocery manager Frani Dimond

Related to Phelectron? :)

[Eris]

You're starting with the official Festivus airing of the grievances early.

[sandydipper]

You want them to sell? Throw in a watermelon and some fried chicken.