Donations by Farmland in four communities have helped provide more than half a million meals as part of expanding effort to fight hunger
Kansas City, KS (April 19, 2013)-Farmland Foods today presented $20,000 to Harvesters-The Community Food Network as part of an expanding effort by the company to raise awareness of hunger issues around the country. The donation is a first step toward Farmland’s yearlong goal of raising $100,000 for Harvesters.
Today’s announcement follows more than $60,000 in donations in Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Fontana, Calif., earlier this year as part of Farmland’s partnership with Richard Petty Motorsports to promote hunger awareness in race communities.
“We’ve seen the difference our partnership has made with Harvesters, and wanted to do more this year in Kansas City and in other communities around the country,” said Mike Brown, President and Chief Operating Officer of Farmland Foods. “We are excited that this donation will provide more than 100,160 meals to area families in need. Today’s announcement is the first step in our yearlong goal of raising $100,000 to support our partners at Harvesters, and the support they provide in our community.”
In addition to the $20,000, 43 cases of Farmland Oven Perfect were donated in honor of the No. 43 Ford made famous by Richard Petty. Oven Perfect is new, fresh pork tenderloin that is already marinated, seasoned and ready to cook right in the package. This easy-to-prepare meal will help to ensure families, children and seniors in the Kansas City area have access to much-needed protein.
“Farmland Foods is such a great community partner, and we are so grateful for their continued support,” said Karen Haren, President and CEO of Harvesters. “Foods high in protein are important for a healthy diet and the food pantries, kitchens and shelters in our network too often are not able to access this type of donation.”
In March, as part of this growing effort, Farmland donated $20,000 and 43 cases of Oven Perfect to St. Mary’s Food Bank in Phoenix, Ariz., and to Three Square Food Bank in Las Vegas, and $20,000 and 43 cases of Hickory Smoked Bacon to Second Harvest Food Bank serving Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, Calif. Together with today’s donation, Farmland has helped provide more than half a million meals in four communities in 2013.
Richard Petty, legendary racecar driver and team owner, and Aric Almirola, driver of the No. 43 Ford, have helped present the checks with Farmland in each of the four communities. Today’s announcement at the Kansas Speedway set the stage for this weekend’s STP 400, in which the No. 43 will race.
“Our team understands how important fighting hunger is in communities across this country,” said team owner Richard Petty. “We are excited to kick off race weekend by helping present Farmland’s check and raising awareness about hunger issues.”
In 2013, Farmland is expanding their hunger fighting efforts as part of the Helping Hungry Homes initiative of Smithfield Foods, Farmland’s parent company. “Farmland’s steadfast commitment to combating hunger exemplifies our goals for the Helping Hungry Homes initiative,” said George Richter, President and Chief Operating Officer, Smithfield Foods Pork Group.
In fiscal year 2012, Helping Hungry Homes provided 6.9 million food servings through school nutrition programs, food banks, disaster relief and community outreach efforts.
About Farmland Foods
Farmland Foods, Inc., based in Kansas City, Mo., provides a broad selection of pork products to retail and foodservice customers in the United States and abroad across a variety of categories, including bacon, fresh pork, hams, fresh sausage, hot dogs and lunchmeat. Farmland Foods has a large and growing international business, exporting products to more than 60 countries across six continents. Since its founding in 1959, the company has maintained a proud heritage of working side by side with American farm families. Farmland Foods, which reached more than $4 billion in sales in 2011, is a subsidiary of Smithfield Foods. To learn more about Farmland Foods, please visit www.farmlandfoods.com
Harvesters is the area’s only food bank and was Feeding America’s 2011 Food Bank of the Year. Serving a 26-county area of northwestern Missouri and northeastern Kansas, Harvesters provides food and related household products to more than 620 not-for-profit agencies including emergency food pantries, soup kitchens, homeless shelters, children’s homes and others. Agencies in Harvesters’ network provide food assistance to as many as 66,000 different people each week. Harvesters, which was founded in 1979, is a certified member of Feeding America, a nationwide network of more than 200 food banks, serving all 50 states. For more information, visit www.harvesters.org.
About Richard Petty Motorsports
Richard Petty Motorsports (www.richardpettymotorsports.
