FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT: David Peterson – (734) 844-2775david.peterson@meijer.com
MEIJER TO PROVIDE FRESH MEAT AND DAIRY ITEMS TO HELP FEED NORTHERN MICHIGAN’S HUNGRY
Fresh Products Expand Menu Of Offerings
Provided To Northern Michigan Area Food Banks
GRAND RAPIDS, MI (November 9, 2010) – With more than 17,000 people living in poverty in the five county area, Meijer, the Grand Rapids-based retailer, is stepping up its efforts to not only feed the hungry this year, but to offer healthier, fresher choices for those in need.
Meijer announced that it will begin donating to Food Rescue of Northwest Michigan. The retailer will provide fresh meat, dairy and deli items to the mobile food rescue program. It also will provide some dry goods.
“No one should go to bed hungry, and those that are fortunate to find help from local pantries and food banks should be given the opportunity eat fresh, nutritious and healthy food,” said Janet Emerson, executive vice president of operations for Meijer. “The food rescue model has changed, and we’re proud to be taking the lead in providing healthy offerings to those who rely on food banks for their meals.”
Food Rescue of Northwest Michigan is the only mobile food rescue program in Northern Michigan. Food Rescue collects and distributes soon-to-expire fresh foods from available sources (grocery stores, restaurants, caterers, bakeries, farmer’s markets, etc.) and delivers it, free of charge, to 45 area food pantries, shelters and community meal programs in Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Benzie, Antrim and Kalkaska counties. Since the program was founded in October 2008, more than 500,000 pounds of food has been distributed, all of which would have ended up in area landfills without the efforts of Food Rescue of Northwest Michigan.
“Unfortunately, the need for fresh foods in our area continues to increase as we are now serving more families than ever before. The addition of Meijer as a food donor will have a significant positive impact on our recipient agencies and we are very excited to have them as part of the Food Rescue solution to hunger in our area” according to Bruce Byl of the Food Rescue of Northwest Michigan Advisory Board.
More than seven percent of Northwest Michigan families live below the poverty line, which means, for a family of four, an annual income of $21,200 or less. Additionally, nearly 25 percent of single female head-of-household families have an income below the poverty level.
Among the fresh items that Meijer will begin donating to the local food rescue organization include packaged ready-to-eat lunch and breakfast meats and cheeses, ground beef, pork and veal, fresh pizzas and bakery goods, as well as Meijer brand water, juice boxes and snacks.
Helping combat hunger has been a primary focus of Meijer’s for many years. The company annually donates millions of pounds of food to local food banks and pantries, and has also generated nearly $1.3 million in donations to local food banks through its Simply Give program.
About Food Rescue of Northwest MI
The mission of Food Rescue of Northwest MI is the collection and distribution, free of charge, of soon-to-expire fresh foods and beverages from available sources (e.g., grocery stores, restaurants, caterers, bakeries, farmer’s markets, etc.) to people in need through the area’s food pantries, shelters and community meals programs in Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska and Leelanau counties.
About Meijer
Meijer is a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer that operates 195 stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky. As the inventor of the “one-stop shopping” concept, Meijer stores have evolved through the years to include expanded fresh produce and meat departments, as well as pharmacies, comprehensive electronics departments, garden centers and apparel offerings. Additional information on Meijer and the ability to shop for more can be found at www.meijer.com.
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