There’s Good News: Rudy’s Markets delivers thank you sandwiches to Redmond Airport TSA agents

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Representatives from Rudy's Markets, which owns Newport and Oliver Lemons, delivered sandwiches to Transportation Security Administration agents at Redmond Municipal Airport today. The delivery was organized as a thank you to federal employees working to keep airport operations moving, despite not being paid for more than a month.

The event took place at approximately 11:00 a.m. at the airport. Following the delivery, the company issued a public challenge to other independent grocers across the country to provide similar support for TSA agents in their own communities.

The lunch preparation began earlier in the morning at the market. An employee owner at Newport Market expressed excitement while preparing the food for the airport staff. "We're just making sandwiches to feed our local TSA agents at the Redmond Municipal Airport. We're pretty stoked. We're going to be reaching them down to give them lunch at about 11:00 today. Stay tuned," the employee owner said.

CEO Lauren Redman and the President of Rudy's Markets arrived at the airport to help distribute the meals. She noted the importance of supporting the local workforce. "We're at the Redmond airport. We're going to feed our local TSA agents. I'm Redman. I'm the CEO of Rudy's Markets," Redman said.

Joe Anzaldo, chief operating officer of Rudy's Markets, helped lead the outreach and issued a challenge to other business owners. "I'm Joe, the CEO of Rudy's Markets. And we're challenging our other local independent grocers across the country to help keep their TSA agents in their community. Let's go eat," Anzaldo said.

The initiative was motivated by the observation of long lines and the heavy workload faced by airport employees. Representatives from the market stated that taking care of community members who provide essential services is a priority for the local business.