Central Market Connects Dallas College Culinary Students with Career Pathways Through Store Tours

Programming example

Central Market: Grassroots community engagement drives retention — and it starts before day one.At H-E-B/Central Market, community involvement builds something far more durable than brand awareness. It creates a dependable pipeline of future Partners and strengthens retention by connecting people to our culture before day one.Over the past few weeks, Suzie MacGray and Valerie Jarvie have hosted a series of store tours with students from Dallas College’s Culinary and Pastry Arts Program. Last week alone, we welcomed four groups — about 35 students from the Principles of Healthy Cooking course, many pursuing careers as chefs and health-focused culinary professionals. Grateful for the leadership of instructors Kathryn Fink Martinez MS, RDN, LD, CEDS-C and Sandra Lewis, CCMP in preparing and guiding these future professionals.These aren’t standard walk-throughs. Each experience is intentionally designed around the paths students are exploring — from “food as medicine” to sourcing standards and the product categories shaping their future roles.The impact is immediate. Students ask sharper questions, engage more deeply, and begin to see themselves here.During one tour, a guest visiting from North Carolina with her family stopped to ask what was happening — struck by the energy and interaction between our Partners and the students. When culture is authentic, it’s visible — even to someone experiencing it for the first time.One reflection from our pilot last fall stood out — a student noted how approachable and knowledgeable our Partners are, and how the experience gave them confidence to seek guidance. That’s culture transfer in real time.Engagement like this contributes to Partner retention rates above 86% — an exceptional benchmark in retail.This is what grassroots social impact actually looks like. Not a talking point. Not a PR campaign. Consistent investment in the communities we hire from and serve every day.When people understand your culture before they join, they stay.hashtag#Leadership hashtag#TalentStrategy hashtag#EmployeeRetention hashtag#WorkforceDevelopment hashtag#SocialImpact hashtag#CommunityEngagement hashtag#CultureMatters hashtag#FutureOfWork hashtag#RetailLeadership hashtag#EmployerBrand hashtag#HumanCapital hashtag#PurposeDriven hashtag#CentralMarket hashtag#HEB hashtag#CulinaryCareersProud Central Market/H-E-B Partner. Opinions expressed are solely my own.You’re welcome. 😎

Communities

• Generational

Formats

• Career Development Event

Goals

• Grow