Turkey adoption program keeps flocks off dinner tables
By Alyson Cunningham The (Salisbury, Md.) Daily Times
DEWEY BEACH, Del. — For the last five years, Marissa Filderman has adopted a turkey for Thanksgiving.
But she's never interested in raising the feathered fellow.
The 24-year-old vegetarian is focused on saving that turkey from its inevitable holiday fate.
So each year, she adopts a foul from Farm Sanctuary, an organization which rescues abused farm animals and works to stop and expose cruel farming practices with shelters in Watkins Glen, N.Y., and Orland, Calif.
Around Thanksgiving, the sanctuary has a special turkey fundraiser that allows people to sponsor a turkey for $30 or a flock for $180.
According to the Farm Sanctuary's website, the organization has saved more than 1,000 turkeys in 24 years.
Read More
As we approach Thanksgiving we think about all the things we are thankful for. Our family is thankful for the food we have to eat. But for too many families there isn’t much food to be had for the holidays. It makes it even harder to accept when we have people in our society giving money to animal rights groups to feed turkeys when that money could be used to feed their neighbors. Please support your local food banks so those less fortunate than you can enjoy Thanksgiving rather than a turkey.
Showing posts with label food bank. Show all posts
Showing posts with label food bank. Show all posts
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Beef Industry Fights Hunger
Beef industry helps in the fight against hunger
by Tommy Noel
POCATELLO - Idaho's beef industry is helping in the fight against hunger.
Over 3,000 pounds of beef were donated to the Idaho Foodbank, courtesy of Beef Counts.
This will help feed the 116,000 people who depend on free emergency food each month.
The cattle industry-food bank partnership is the only one of its kind in the country.
"Protein is one of the things the Foodbank lacks in a big way. Today, the Foodbank can only give about five pounds a month to every family that they service. This is going to go a long ways to increase that in a significant way, and this is just the beginning," says Rick Stott of Agri Beef Co.
In addition to the beef, a $50,000 check was donated by Agri Beef Company.
The meat will now be distributed to the Foodbank's 78 partner agencies, such as the Salvation Army and various senior citizen centers. Link
The headline says it all. The beef industry is helping fight hunger, just like the farmers and ranchers that produce every other type of commodity that the human existence relies on. I’ve been proud to be involved in volunteering at food banks across the United States and there is no doubt that they serve an important need. It was especially apparent when the economy started to fall a few years ago. Many folks who lost their jobs needed some temporary help to put food on their table. Every time you volunteer at one of these food banks it’s a great reminder about what’s truly important and where our priorities should be.
by Tommy Noel
POCATELLO - Idaho's beef industry is helping in the fight against hunger.
Over 3,000 pounds of beef were donated to the Idaho Foodbank, courtesy of Beef Counts.
This will help feed the 116,000 people who depend on free emergency food each month.
The cattle industry-food bank partnership is the only one of its kind in the country.
"Protein is one of the things the Foodbank lacks in a big way. Today, the Foodbank can only give about five pounds a month to every family that they service. This is going to go a long ways to increase that in a significant way, and this is just the beginning," says Rick Stott of Agri Beef Co.
In addition to the beef, a $50,000 check was donated by Agri Beef Company.
The meat will now be distributed to the Foodbank's 78 partner agencies, such as the Salvation Army and various senior citizen centers. Link
The headline says it all. The beef industry is helping fight hunger, just like the farmers and ranchers that produce every other type of commodity that the human existence relies on. I’ve been proud to be involved in volunteering at food banks across the United States and there is no doubt that they serve an important need. It was especially apparent when the economy started to fall a few years ago. Many folks who lost their jobs needed some temporary help to put food on their table. Every time you volunteer at one of these food banks it’s a great reminder about what’s truly important and where our priorities should be.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Hungry Americans
One in Eight Americans Used Food Banks in 2009
By SCOTT KILMAN
CHICAGO—A charitable organization estimated Tuesday that 37 million Americans—or one in eight people—turned to food pantries and soup kitchens during the 2009 recession, forcing some sites to cut meal portions and turn away people.
Feeding America, a Chicago-based network of 200 food banks, said in its quadrennial hunger study that 46% more people visited a hunger-relief charity at least once in 2009 than did in 2005. The estimate was based on a survey of officials at 37,000 local feeding agencies nationwide.
President Barack Obama has a stated goal of ending childhood hunger in the U.S. by 2015. But the Feeding America study indicated that high unemployment and growing health-care costs were undermining increases in federal spending on nutrition programs.
As part of the hunger study, the group also interviewed 61,000 patrons at emergency feeding sites from February through June of last year. Among other things, the Feeding America study estimated that 13.9 million children were served by an emergency feeding center in 2009 compared with 9.23 million children in 2005.
Feeding America, which changed its name in 2008 from America's Second Harvest, said its survey showed that 76% of the adults who used a food pantry in 2009 were unemployed, including 3.2 million who had lost their jobs within the past 12 months. Read More
At the same time we are seeing an increase of people who are struggling to afford food for their families, we have food elitists who continue to advocate for a higher priced food supply. I can guarantee you that hungry people aren’t concerned about “food miles” or the technology used to grow it. The people that are worried about those types of things are the ones with full stomachs. So who should we be catering to in this country? Should we use the Pollan plan and turn our backs on the last century of progress in food production and have no regard for how many people we can feed? Or should we concentrate on making food more accessible by keeping it as affordable as possible? I, for one, am much more concerned about the empty stomachs than the full ones.
By SCOTT KILMAN
CHICAGO—A charitable organization estimated Tuesday that 37 million Americans—or one in eight people—turned to food pantries and soup kitchens during the 2009 recession, forcing some sites to cut meal portions and turn away people.
Feeding America, a Chicago-based network of 200 food banks, said in its quadrennial hunger study that 46% more people visited a hunger-relief charity at least once in 2009 than did in 2005. The estimate was based on a survey of officials at 37,000 local feeding agencies nationwide.
President Barack Obama has a stated goal of ending childhood hunger in the U.S. by 2015. But the Feeding America study indicated that high unemployment and growing health-care costs were undermining increases in federal spending on nutrition programs.
As part of the hunger study, the group also interviewed 61,000 patrons at emergency feeding sites from February through June of last year. Among other things, the Feeding America study estimated that 13.9 million children were served by an emergency feeding center in 2009 compared with 9.23 million children in 2005.
Feeding America, which changed its name in 2008 from America's Second Harvest, said its survey showed that 76% of the adults who used a food pantry in 2009 were unemployed, including 3.2 million who had lost their jobs within the past 12 months. Read More
At the same time we are seeing an increase of people who are struggling to afford food for their families, we have food elitists who continue to advocate for a higher priced food supply. I can guarantee you that hungry people aren’t concerned about “food miles” or the technology used to grow it. The people that are worried about those types of things are the ones with full stomachs. So who should we be catering to in this country? Should we use the Pollan plan and turn our backs on the last century of progress in food production and have no regard for how many people we can feed? Or should we concentrate on making food more accessible by keeping it as affordable as possible? I, for one, am much more concerned about the empty stomachs than the full ones.
Monday, November 30, 2009
What I Did On My Thanksgiving Vacation
On the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, our friends from PETA held a protest in downtown Rapid City. Their goal was to show people that dairy cows are being abused by the farmers that own them. In addition to this, they were going to be wastefully dumping milk and encouraging everyone else to throw out their dairy products.
With only 24 hours notice, I was able to get several area ranchers to show up for the protest to make ourselves available for media interviews to share the true story of livestock production. Along with that, several ag organizations committed to donating milk to the local food pantry in response. In fact, so far there have been over 1000 gallons of milk (updated as of 12/8/09)committed for donation to food banks in South Dakota. Even though it turned out they weren’t dumping real milk, it’s reckless and irresponsible to suggest that people should waste food when there are some right here in our community that struggle to provide food for their families.
Even though none of the ranchers at the protest were dairy producers, they still showed up to let people know that the things PETA was saying weren’t accurate. I have friends that dairy and have been luck enough to tour several dairies all across the country. I have never seen the abuse and neglect that PETA claims is running rampant at these family farms.
Besides that, the things they were claiming didn’t even make sense. In fact Virginia Fort, the PETA representative at the protest, claimed that since we lived n the 21st century, we no longer needed to utilize any resources that livestock provide us. When asked where our food would come from, she claimed we could be farming the land that cows are currently grazing. I was proud of my brother-in-law when he countered with the question, “So you want us breaking up pristine, native rangeland to start farming it?” Her response was priceless. She said, we might as well break it up because we are letting cows poop on it anyhow. I asked if I could get her on video with that comment and a look of horror crossed her face. She said absolutely not, since she was realizing that she had said something more ridiculous than the standard claims they make.
At that point she declined to visit with us anymore. But as with everything you do in life, there are lessons to be learned. The first lesson is that we have to view these types of things as opportunities to teach people about agriculture. If we hadn’t been there, all of the local media would only have talked to the PETA protesters. Instead, almost without exception, more attention was given to the local farmers and ranchers and their stories than was given to the protesters. Along with that, through the donations to the food bank, we emphasized that not only do we care about our livestock, but we also care about our neighbors that live in our rural communities in South Dakota.
The other lesson that needs to be shared is that these protesters knew nothing about dairy production other than what was printed on their handouts. When we tried to have a conversation about what they were saying, they couldn’t do it. It drives home the point that farmers and ranchers are the experts. We are the ones with the first-hand, lifetime knowledge about agriculture. With modesty to a fault, it’s hard for most of us to go out and tell people that, but we need to. Our consumers want to go to a trusted source for their information about food production. We need to make sure that everyone knows we are the trusted source.
So the next time something like this happens in your region, treat it like an opportunity to tell your story. Agriculture was a big winner last Wednesday in South Dakota and it’s because PETA helped us do it.
Click here for some video of the event.
With only 24 hours notice, I was able to get several area ranchers to show up for the protest to make ourselves available for media interviews to share the true story of livestock production. Along with that, several ag organizations committed to donating milk to the local food pantry in response. In fact, so far there have been over 1000 gallons of milk (updated as of 12/8/09)committed for donation to food banks in South Dakota. Even though it turned out they weren’t dumping real milk, it’s reckless and irresponsible to suggest that people should waste food when there are some right here in our community that struggle to provide food for their families.
Even though none of the ranchers at the protest were dairy producers, they still showed up to let people know that the things PETA was saying weren’t accurate. I have friends that dairy and have been luck enough to tour several dairies all across the country. I have never seen the abuse and neglect that PETA claims is running rampant at these family farms.
Besides that, the things they were claiming didn’t even make sense. In fact Virginia Fort, the PETA representative at the protest, claimed that since we lived n the 21st century, we no longer needed to utilize any resources that livestock provide us. When asked where our food would come from, she claimed we could be farming the land that cows are currently grazing. I was proud of my brother-in-law when he countered with the question, “So you want us breaking up pristine, native rangeland to start farming it?” Her response was priceless. She said, we might as well break it up because we are letting cows poop on it anyhow. I asked if I could get her on video with that comment and a look of horror crossed her face. She said absolutely not, since she was realizing that she had said something more ridiculous than the standard claims they make.
At that point she declined to visit with us anymore. But as with everything you do in life, there are lessons to be learned. The first lesson is that we have to view these types of things as opportunities to teach people about agriculture. If we hadn’t been there, all of the local media would only have talked to the PETA protesters. Instead, almost without exception, more attention was given to the local farmers and ranchers and their stories than was given to the protesters. Along with that, through the donations to the food bank, we emphasized that not only do we care about our livestock, but we also care about our neighbors that live in our rural communities in South Dakota.
The other lesson that needs to be shared is that these protesters knew nothing about dairy production other than what was printed on their handouts. When we tried to have a conversation about what they were saying, they couldn’t do it. It drives home the point that farmers and ranchers are the experts. We are the ones with the first-hand, lifetime knowledge about agriculture. With modesty to a fault, it’s hard for most of us to go out and tell people that, but we need to. Our consumers want to go to a trusted source for their information about food production. We need to make sure that everyone knows we are the trusted source.
So the next time something like this happens in your region, treat it like an opportunity to tell your story. Agriculture was a big winner last Wednesday in South Dakota and it’s because PETA helped us do it.
Click here for some video of the event.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Farmers Donating Food
Big pork donation first of many
Million Meals program officially underway
Updated: Tuesday, 17 Nov 2009, 11:43 AM EST Joe Michelotti
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - The Community Harvest Food Bank got a big donation, Tuesday, from Indiana's pork producers.
Indiana Pork is partnering with Feeding Indiana's Hungry, Inc ., to donate one million pork meals to Indiana food banks.
Fort Wayne's Community Harvest Food Bank will get about 90,000 lbs.
On Tuesday, the food bank accepted the first shipment of 5,000 lbs.
"They've always been generous, but this couldn't have come at a better time for us," said Jane Avery, Community Harvest Food Bank Executive Director.
With Thanksgiving coming up, Avery says she expects the pork to be gone by next Wednesday.
Indiana Pork announced the Million Meals program in August at the Indiana State Fair.
"This is the first time the Indiana Pork industry is tackling the problem of hunger on a coordinated statewide basis," said Randy Curless, Indiana Pork President.
Officials at Indiana Pork hope the donation helps Indiana lead the way when it comes to feeding the hungry.
"There's no reason anyone in our state should go without a meal," said Michael Platt, Executive Director of Indiana Pork. "We're encouraging all of our partners in agriculture to join us to help make Indiana the first hunger free state in the nation." Link
I absolutely love sharing stories like this. Farmers and ranchers have always been outstanding members of their communities and it continues today. When we see our neighbors struggling to put food on their table, we all know the right thing to do is share the blessings we enjoy. If you haven’t supported your local food bank in the past, I would really challenge you to do so now. There is a great need right now for people to donate food or your time. It’s always a very rewarding experience.
Million Meals program officially underway
Updated: Tuesday, 17 Nov 2009, 11:43 AM EST Joe Michelotti
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - The Community Harvest Food Bank got a big donation, Tuesday, from Indiana's pork producers.
Indiana Pork is partnering with Feeding Indiana's Hungry, Inc ., to donate one million pork meals to Indiana food banks.
Fort Wayne's Community Harvest Food Bank will get about 90,000 lbs.
On Tuesday, the food bank accepted the first shipment of 5,000 lbs.
"They've always been generous, but this couldn't have come at a better time for us," said Jane Avery, Community Harvest Food Bank Executive Director.
With Thanksgiving coming up, Avery says she expects the pork to be gone by next Wednesday.
Indiana Pork announced the Million Meals program in August at the Indiana State Fair.
"This is the first time the Indiana Pork industry is tackling the problem of hunger on a coordinated statewide basis," said Randy Curless, Indiana Pork President.
Officials at Indiana Pork hope the donation helps Indiana lead the way when it comes to feeding the hungry.
"There's no reason anyone in our state should go without a meal," said Michael Platt, Executive Director of Indiana Pork. "We're encouraging all of our partners in agriculture to join us to help make Indiana the first hunger free state in the nation." Link
I absolutely love sharing stories like this. Farmers and ranchers have always been outstanding members of their communities and it continues today. When we see our neighbors struggling to put food on their table, we all know the right thing to do is share the blessings we enjoy. If you haven’t supported your local food bank in the past, I would really challenge you to do so now. There is a great need right now for people to donate food or your time. It’s always a very rewarding experience.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
MN Farmers Donate Food To Communities
State farmers donate pork and dairy products to Minnesota food shelves
Pine Journal
Published: 11/03/2009
SAINT PAUL, MN, October 30, 2009 – Minnesota Farmers Helping Families, a coalition of state agriculture commodity groups, announced today a donation of more than $115,000 in pork and dairy products to Hunger Solutions Minnesota, a comprehensive hunger relief organization.
At a news conference hosted by Governor Tim Pawlenty at the state capitol, representatives from the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, Minnesota Pork Board and Minnesota Milk Producers Association announced the donation of approximately 85,000 lbs of pork and more than 36,000 pounds of cheese.
"Minnesota farmers are known for their willingness to help neighbors in times of need,” Governor Pawlenty said. “It’s heartwarming to see the agricultural community lending a hand, even as it faces its own economic challenges."
In 2008, there were 2 million visits and 47 million pounds of food distributed at Minnesota’s 300 food shelves. There has been an 89 percent increase in food shelf visits since 2000. Minnesota food shelves have also seen a surge in demand this year. There were 328,468 unique visitors to food shelves in the first six months of the year. Read More
One of the favorite terms as of late to describe us evil agriculturalists is greedy. I’m not sure why they think we are greedy. After all, we produce the safest, most abundant, most affordable food supply in the world for this country. Even in the face of these insults, we continue to push forward growing food and living the values of rural America. I always enjoy sharing stories of farmers and ranchers donating food to help their friends and neighbors in the community. If you think about it, it’s one of the most basic and appreciated acts of kindness a human being can do. Congratulations to these Minnesota farming and ranching families for their donation.
Pine Journal
Published: 11/03/2009
SAINT PAUL, MN, October 30, 2009 – Minnesota Farmers Helping Families, a coalition of state agriculture commodity groups, announced today a donation of more than $115,000 in pork and dairy products to Hunger Solutions Minnesota, a comprehensive hunger relief organization.
At a news conference hosted by Governor Tim Pawlenty at the state capitol, representatives from the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, Minnesota Pork Board and Minnesota Milk Producers Association announced the donation of approximately 85,000 lbs of pork and more than 36,000 pounds of cheese.
"Minnesota farmers are known for their willingness to help neighbors in times of need,” Governor Pawlenty said. “It’s heartwarming to see the agricultural community lending a hand, even as it faces its own economic challenges."
In 2008, there were 2 million visits and 47 million pounds of food distributed at Minnesota’s 300 food shelves. There has been an 89 percent increase in food shelf visits since 2000. Minnesota food shelves have also seen a surge in demand this year. There were 328,468 unique visitors to food shelves in the first six months of the year. Read More
One of the favorite terms as of late to describe us evil agriculturalists is greedy. I’m not sure why they think we are greedy. After all, we produce the safest, most abundant, most affordable food supply in the world for this country. Even in the face of these insults, we continue to push forward growing food and living the values of rural America. I always enjoy sharing stories of farmers and ranchers donating food to help their friends and neighbors in the community. If you think about it, it’s one of the most basic and appreciated acts of kindness a human being can do. Congratulations to these Minnesota farming and ranching families for their donation.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Food Bank Donation
October 27, 2009
Half-ton of pork donated
CentralOhio.com
BUCYRUS - Pat and Duane Hord of Hord Livestock recently delivered 1,070 pounds of ground pork to the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank.
The effort, "Pork Power: Partnering to Fight Hunger in Ohio," is a partnership between the Ohio Pork Producers Council, the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks, the Ohio Association of Meat Processors and the Ohio Corn Marketing Program. These groups hope to provide 100,000 pounds, or 500,000 servings, of pork through April 30. Food will be distributed through 12 Ohio food banks.
The program began Sept. 22 and has donated more than 5,000 pounds of pork.
"The Hord family has been a part of Crawford, Marion and surrounding communities, dating back to the 1800s," Pat Hord said. "We have always made it our practice to help our community members in any way possible. We are proud to have the opportunity to be partnering with the Ohio Pork Producers Council in this effort to fight hunger in Ohio. Read More
More and more families in our communities are relying on food banks for their next meal due to the tough economic times across the country. Demand at food banks has risen dramatically in the past two years unfortunately. If there is anything that rural America does well though, they know the importance of taking care of their neighbors. So many times you will see farmers and ranchers donating part of their harvest to help out their friends and neighbors that need it. It’s just one of the great things you can expect from rural America.
Half-ton of pork donated
CentralOhio.com
BUCYRUS - Pat and Duane Hord of Hord Livestock recently delivered 1,070 pounds of ground pork to the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank.
The effort, "Pork Power: Partnering to Fight Hunger in Ohio," is a partnership between the Ohio Pork Producers Council, the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks, the Ohio Association of Meat Processors and the Ohio Corn Marketing Program. These groups hope to provide 100,000 pounds, or 500,000 servings, of pork through April 30. Food will be distributed through 12 Ohio food banks.
The program began Sept. 22 and has donated more than 5,000 pounds of pork.
"The Hord family has been a part of Crawford, Marion and surrounding communities, dating back to the 1800s," Pat Hord said. "We have always made it our practice to help our community members in any way possible. We are proud to have the opportunity to be partnering with the Ohio Pork Producers Council in this effort to fight hunger in Ohio. Read More
More and more families in our communities are relying on food banks for their next meal due to the tough economic times across the country. Demand at food banks has risen dramatically in the past two years unfortunately. If there is anything that rural America does well though, they know the importance of taking care of their neighbors. So many times you will see farmers and ranchers donating part of their harvest to help out their friends and neighbors that need it. It’s just one of the great things you can expect from rural America.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Indiana Farmers To Give Away One Million Meals
Indiana Pork Kicks Off Million Meals Program to Fight Hunger
08/09/2009
Andy Eubank
The Indiana Pork Producers kicked off the Indiana State Fair Friday morning with their annual ham breakfast, and addresses by Governor Daniels, Lt. Governor Becky Skillman, and Congressman Mike Pence. And the President of Indiana Pork, Randy Curless drew loud applause when he announced a brand new initiative called the Million Meals Program.
Curless told HAT the ideas started to flow within his board in response to news reports this year of people searching for their next meal. “And as farmers tend to do, we tried to think of ways we could help. So we started hashing ideas of what we could do to help and started out with donating some pork to a local food bank. And from that, the ball has come around to where we are now proposing, and going to make happen, a million protein meals to the food banks of Indiana, each year.”
Although Indiana Pork is the initial driving force behind Million Meals, they are working to secure support from all aspects of Indiana agriculture. Curless explained, “To be successful we’re going to need the whole team to carry that ball. We’re looking for Indiana agriculture and the team players of all the commodities to help us with that. But it is going to take off this month when we make our first deliveries. So we are off and running and the whole organization is set in place to make all this happen.”
Curless says be on the lookout for information about how you can help the program grow. “Ya, certainly, once we get all the bugs out of it. It did take a lot of hard work to get everything organized to this point, and once we started getting some food flowing through the chain, then we’re going to push a little harder to bring in donations.” Read More
Rural America is practically famous for figuring out how to help out our neighbors when they are in need. Extending this generosity to helping put food on their table isn’t much of a stretch. Isn’t it interesting that while there are groups like HSUS and other animal rights groups are trying to put family farmers out of business, those same farmers have been trying to figure out how to give away a million free meals to the hungry. Wouldn’t it be great if these animal rights groups would match that?
08/09/2009
Andy Eubank
The Indiana Pork Producers kicked off the Indiana State Fair Friday morning with their annual ham breakfast, and addresses by Governor Daniels, Lt. Governor Becky Skillman, and Congressman Mike Pence. And the President of Indiana Pork, Randy Curless drew loud applause when he announced a brand new initiative called the Million Meals Program.
Curless told HAT the ideas started to flow within his board in response to news reports this year of people searching for their next meal. “And as farmers tend to do, we tried to think of ways we could help. So we started hashing ideas of what we could do to help and started out with donating some pork to a local food bank. And from that, the ball has come around to where we are now proposing, and going to make happen, a million protein meals to the food banks of Indiana, each year.”
Although Indiana Pork is the initial driving force behind Million Meals, they are working to secure support from all aspects of Indiana agriculture. Curless explained, “To be successful we’re going to need the whole team to carry that ball. We’re looking for Indiana agriculture and the team players of all the commodities to help us with that. But it is going to take off this month when we make our first deliveries. So we are off and running and the whole organization is set in place to make all this happen.”
Curless says be on the lookout for information about how you can help the program grow. “Ya, certainly, once we get all the bugs out of it. It did take a lot of hard work to get everything organized to this point, and once we started getting some food flowing through the chain, then we’re going to push a little harder to bring in donations.” Read More
Rural America is practically famous for figuring out how to help out our neighbors when they are in need. Extending this generosity to helping put food on their table isn’t much of a stretch. Isn’t it interesting that while there are groups like HSUS and other animal rights groups are trying to put family farmers out of business, those same farmers have been trying to figure out how to give away a million free meals to the hungry. Wouldn’t it be great if these animal rights groups would match that?
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Kellogg is Feeding America
Kellogg donates day's worth of production
Elizabeth Willis • The Enquirer • June 18, 2009
Kellogg Co. is making good on a promise to donate a day's worth of cereal — more than 55 million servings — that could have been sold to consumers for an estimated $10 million.
Food producers often give their surplus products, such as incorrectly packaged or soon-to-expire items, to food banks for redistribution. This is the first time in recent history that Kellogg has specifically produced sellable cereal for donation.
"We felt it would be a good way for us to step up and support folks who are struggling in this economy," said Tim Knowlton, Kellogg's vice president of corporate social responsibility.
Kellogg President and Chief Executive Officer David Mackay first announced on April 24 at the company's annual shareholder meeting that it would give 3.5 million pounds of cereal to the Chicago-based Feeding America, a charity it helped create.
A trailer full of Rice Krispies arrived at the Battle Creek-based Food Bank of South Central Michigan about two weeks ago, and most of the 12,000 boxes already have been distributed to area food pantries, said Executive Director Bob Randels. The 20,000 pounds of food is in addition to the 200,000 pounds of food Kellogg already has donated to the food bank for local distribution this year.
The nationwide donation is in addition to the about 20 million pounds of surplus foods Kellogg already donates to Feeding America each year, Knowlton said. Read More
It seems as though the cool thing to as of late is to constantly complain about the people that grow and process our food. Many times these people lump everything they don’t like into the term ‘big ag’. But if you are going to criticize them for things you don’t like, you better be prepared to praise when the time comes. I’ve never been able to get a good answer of who ‘big ag’ is, but Kellogg is a major food processor and they have just done a really great thing. To give away an entire day’s production is pretty impressive. So congratulations to Kellogg for this tremendous act of kindness. The people that rely on food banks during rough stretches in their life will appreciate it. I highly doubt any of them will be too concerned about the production methods being used to grow their food.
Elizabeth Willis • The Enquirer • June 18, 2009
Kellogg Co. is making good on a promise to donate a day's worth of cereal — more than 55 million servings — that could have been sold to consumers for an estimated $10 million.
Food producers often give their surplus products, such as incorrectly packaged or soon-to-expire items, to food banks for redistribution. This is the first time in recent history that Kellogg has specifically produced sellable cereal for donation.
"We felt it would be a good way for us to step up and support folks who are struggling in this economy," said Tim Knowlton, Kellogg's vice president of corporate social responsibility.
Kellogg President and Chief Executive Officer David Mackay first announced on April 24 at the company's annual shareholder meeting that it would give 3.5 million pounds of cereal to the Chicago-based Feeding America, a charity it helped create.
A trailer full of Rice Krispies arrived at the Battle Creek-based Food Bank of South Central Michigan about two weeks ago, and most of the 12,000 boxes already have been distributed to area food pantries, said Executive Director Bob Randels. The 20,000 pounds of food is in addition to the 200,000 pounds of food Kellogg already has donated to the food bank for local distribution this year.
The nationwide donation is in addition to the about 20 million pounds of surplus foods Kellogg already donates to Feeding America each year, Knowlton said. Read More
It seems as though the cool thing to as of late is to constantly complain about the people that grow and process our food. Many times these people lump everything they don’t like into the term ‘big ag’. But if you are going to criticize them for things you don’t like, you better be prepared to praise when the time comes. I’ve never been able to get a good answer of who ‘big ag’ is, but Kellogg is a major food processor and they have just done a really great thing. To give away an entire day’s production is pretty impressive. So congratulations to Kellogg for this tremendous act of kindness. The people that rely on food banks during rough stretches in their life will appreciate it. I highly doubt any of them will be too concerned about the production methods being used to grow their food.
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