CMI Orchards Teams With Smith's for Veterans Day

The seventh-year American Dream promotion raises funds for WeUpliftU, which serves active-duty military and veterans in Utah.

Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Philanthropy

Ripe red apples and cherries on a weathered wooden crate, with orchard rows receding into soft autumn light. — CMI Orchards teamed with Smith's Food & Drug on Veterans Day to sell American Dream apples, with proceeds supporting Utah nonprofit WeUpliftU, which serves military members and veterans. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

CMI Orchards partnered with Smith's Food & Drug on Veterans Day to support WeUpliftU through its American Dream program, which pairs Washington apples and cherries with patriotic packaging. CMI also presented Richard Anderson of Smith's with the American Dream Patriot Award.

Why it matters

The promotion channels retail sales into a nonprofit that serves active military members, veterans and their families in Utah. Its funds go to WeUpliftU, which returns 100 percent of raised money to its programs.

The 2024 American Dream promotion raised $7,500 for WeUpliftU, and the 2026 Veterans Day promotion targets $10,000. WeUpliftU states that 100 percent of raised funds return to its programs, though the final 2026 total has not been reported.

The players

CMI Orchards

CMI Orchards is a Washington-based apple and cherry grower that runs the American Dream promotion with retail partners.

Smith's Food & Drug

Smith's Food & Drug is a regional grocery and pharmacy chain with stores across Utah and neighboring states.

WeUpliftU

WeUpliftU is a Utah-based nonprofit that supports active-duty military, veterans and first responders, including those in Davis County.

The details

Smith's stores are displaying point-of-sale materials for the promotion, which features KIKU apples in commemorative America250 packaging available for two weeks in November only. CMI will attend the Veterans Day celebration at the local American Legion and donate apples to the event.

2024: CMI's partnership with WeUpliftU began with a $7,500 promotion.
November 2026: KIKU apple promotion runs at Smith's for two weeks.
November 11, 2026: Veterans Day promotion and apple donation to the American Legion.

Philanthropy Trend

Like the Feeding America holiday food-drive partnerships with national grocers, the American Dream promotion routes retail purchases into a single nonprofit's programs. Its focus on veterans and military families places it within a growing set of seasonal cause-marketing campaigns built around Veterans Day.

Shoppers at Smith's can buy KIKU apples in commemorative packaging during the two-week November window, with a share of sales supporting WeUpliftU. The promotion gives Utah customers a direct way to contribute to veterans' programs through an everyday grocery purchase.

The takeaway

Buying seasonal promotional products can channel everyday spending toward nonprofits that serve veterans and military families. Check retailer signage for participating items and the amount each purchase supports.