Publix, where 'shopping is a pleasure,' becomes campaign issue. #boycottPublix is trending Publix donated $670,000 to campaign of Adam Putnam, NRA supporter.

Wayne T. Price | Florida Today

Show Caption Hide Caption #boycottPublix: Here's why Publix is trending Groups wants shoppers to boycott Publix because of its support of Adam Putnam, proud NRA supporter. The grocery donated $670,000 to Putnam's campaign

Publix Super Markets is known for a lot of things: Clean stores, ultra-friendly employees, buy-one-get-one free specials and fresh sub sandwiches.

Suddenly it's also becoming known as a political lightning rod.

UPDATED STORY: Gun activist David Hogg: Publix should donate $1 million to support shooting survivors

Recently it was disclosed the Lakeland-headquartered Publix donated $670,000 to the campaign of Adam Putnam, Florida's Commissioner of Agriculture and a GOP candidate for governor.

That's not the big problem for some.

More: Publix suspends political giving amid anti-NRA protest

Putnam also is an unabashed supporter of the National Rifle Association, which in some circles these days, is a no-no. To be fair, there probably are just as many who see Putnam's embrace of the NRA as a badge of honor.

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Be that as it may, Publix is getting caught in the crossfire with its support of Putnam.

A group on Twitter, called #BoycottPublix, is calling on consumers to boycott Publix over the Memorial Day weekend, Friday through Monday, because of its support of Putnam.

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"Publix has always been the best local option for my family," said Lesley Ulloa of Miami, one of the organizers of the Twitter boycott campaign. "But I’ll be damned if I am going to support a company that finances a 'Proud NRA candidate.' "

Ulloa and others involved are asking people who take part in the boycott to save their receipts and post them online to show they did their grocery shopping elsewhere.

For its part, Publix released this statement on the issue:

"As the largest private employer in the state of Florida, and with the majority of our stores and our corporate headquarters located here as well, we have a history of supporting candidates focused on job growth and a healthy Florida economy. We regret that some of our political contributions have led to an unintentional customer divide instead of our desire to support a growing economy in Florida. Publix cares about our associates, customers and the communities we serve. It is important to understand that the vast majority of our giving is focused on organizations whose mission supports youth, education and the plight of the hungry and homeless within our area of operation. As a result of this situation, we are evaluating our processes to ensure that our giving better reflects our intended desire to support a strong economy and a healthy community."

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We the people support you on this Publix. Thank you. @Publix #boycottpublix — rob weber (@robweber10) May 23, 2018

Publix, with 20 stores in Brevard County, frequently ranks as one of the top grocers in the United States. Last year it moved into a virtual tie with New York-based Wegmans as America's favorite grocer.

An online survey of 12,774 adults by Market Force Information places the two fan favorites at the top of a list that includes Trader Joe's, H-E-B, Aldi and 18 others. Walmart fell to the bottom.

Check back for updates to this story.

Price is business editor at FLORIDA TODAY.

Contact Price at 321-242-3658

or wprice@floridatoday.com.

Twitter: @Fla2dayBiz

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Anyone who supports an NRA sellout is an NRA sellout. That is why I am calling on everyone to stop shopping at Publix until they pull their endorsement of Putnam publicly. Publix is supporting the inaction after pulse, strozier, Douglas, liberty city. Don’t support an NRA sellout — David Hogg (@davidhogg111) May 23, 2018

Video: FDLE Investigate officer-involved death at West Melbourne Publix Video: FDLE Investigate officer-involved death at West Melbourne Publix