IndyCar News: Fresh Connect Central to sponsor Marcus Ericsson
Andretti Global announced today that Fresh Connect Central (FCC), a wholesale food distributor operating as a social enterprise under Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana, will be featured as the primary partner on the No. 28 Fresh Connect Central Honda piloted by Marcus Ericsson for the Sonsio Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course. With the support of Group 1001, a longtime partner of Andretti INDYCAR, this special livery will highlight the fight against hunger and FCC’s commitment to deliver nutritious and healthy foods to those most in need.
A social enterprise created by a food bank for food banks, FCC supports nonprofits nationwide offering customized food sourcing and logistics, including shelf-stable items, fresh produce and repacked proteins. FCC acts quickly to create flexible, impactful solutions such as school backpack kits, disaster relief boxes ready for rapid deployment and “Food is Medicine” boxes filled with essential, health-boosting items. FCC is focused on expanding access to high-quality, nutritious foods, lowering the costs of food sourcing and distribution, and enhancing operational efficiency across the food bank network to better serve communities in need.
Through the FCC partnership, Group 1001 addresses efforts to fight food insecurity, reflecting the company’s core value of community and commitment to creating a better tomorrow. Further connecting these efforts, Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana has partnered with Andretti INDYCAR since 2020, when they made their INDYCAR debut with Colton Herta at the 2020 IMS Road Course race.
To kick off this week’s Sonsio Grand Prix with FCC, Ericsson will visit Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana this afternoon to help package disaster boxes, which will ultimately be distributed to communities in need as part of disaster relief efforts. Ericsson and his Andretti INDYCAR teammate, Kyle Kirkwood, will also attend the Gainbridge® Porch Party from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Group 1001’s headquarters in Zionsville for an autograph session and fan meet and greet. The No. 28 Fresh Connect Central Honda showcar will be displayed at the event.
Ericsson will carry the FCC colors as the Month of May commences at the Sonsio GP for an action-packed two-day event starting on Friday, May 9 with two practice sessions airing on FS2 and qualifying on FS1. The race weekend will continue on Saturday, May 10 with Warm-Up airing on FS1 followed by live coverage of the Sonsio Grand Prix at 4:30 pm ET on FOX.
DOUG BRESNAHAN, CHIEF COMMERCIAL OFFICER, ANDRETTI GLOBAL
“We’re honored to have Fresh Connect Central featured on the No. 28 entry of Marcus Ericsson to highlight their mission with support from Group 1001. Over the past five years, we’ve had the opportunity to collaborate on several initiatives with Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana to help the fight against hunger and food insecurity. Andretti Global is focused on making an impact in the communities where we race and partnering with Fresh Connect Central and Group 1001 furthers this effort and offers a great way to highlight the important work they are doing to support those in need.”
JOE SLATER, CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER, GLEANERS FOOD BANK OF INDIANA
“We are thrilled to have the ongoing support of Group 1001 and Andretti Global. In the five years of our partnership, we have seen the benefits of working with such great organizations. Both have helped us in our efforts to grow and scale the Fresh Connect Central social enterprise. We are honored to have such an exciting platform to showcase the food distribution and third-party logistics solutions we bring to market.”
MIKE NICHOLS, CHIEF OF SPONSORSHIP STRATEGY AND ACTIVATION, GROUP 1001
“We’re proud to partner with Fresh Connect Central and Andretti Global in racing to end hunger. At Group 1001, our mission is to transform communities through our sports partnerships, and that aligns with Fresh Connect Central’s mission. We look forward to watching Marcus race to the checkered flag while championing the end of food insecurity.”
MARCUS ERICSSON, DRIVER OF NO. 28 FRESH CONNECT CENTRAL HONDA, ANDRETTI INDYCAR
“I’m excited to represent Fresh Connect Central for the Sonsio Grand Prix. The livery not only looks great, but most importantly, it helps bring attention to the fight against hunger. It’s an honor to be a part of this initiative, and I look forward to starting the Month of May strong in the No. 28 Fresh Connect Central Honda.”