Awards

Partners in Philanthropy - 2001

Herman B Wells Visionary Award

About Donald E. Marsh

After his graduation from college in 1961, Don Marsh returned to the family business in Muncie, Indiana. He began to envision what a modern supermarket should be like and embraced new technologies like no other grocer. His stores had the first computerized cash registers, electronic tracking systems and UPC laser scanners, a landmark recognized by the Smithsonian Institution.

Recognizing the growing need for convenience, take-out foods and one-stop shopping, he later opened the Village Pantry stores and created the Marsh "super-stores."

Part of his overwhelming success can be traced to Marsh's commitment to the community. He encourages his employees to get involved, as he does, with the Special Olympics, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, Computers for Education, the Indianapolis Children's Museum and the Indianapolis Zoo. The Marsh Charity Foods Programs donates over $1 million in food to local food banks and charities each year. Marsh also has been chairman of the International Center for Food Trade and Industry, which helps arrange food shipments to starving nations.

He serves on numerous boards and was named Entrepreneur of the Year for leadership in the supermarket and convenience store industry and CEO of the Year by Indiana Business magazine.