FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: David Peterson – (734) 844-2775
david.peterson@meijer.com
MEIJER TO PROVIDE FRESH PRODUCE, MEAT AND DAIRY ITEMS TO HELP FEED FORT WAYNE’S HUNGRY
Fresh Products Expand Menu Of Offerings Provided To Area Food Banks
GRAND RAPIDS, MI (October 21, 2010) – With 15% of northeast Indiana’s households living at risk of hunger, Meijer, the Michigan-based grocer, is stepping up its efforts to not only feed the hungry this year, but to offer healthier, fresher choices for those in need.
Entering its first full year of donating to the Community Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Indiana in Fort Wayne, Meijer announced today that it will supplement its typical dry goods donations by now supplying fresh produce, meat, dairy and deli items to the local food rescue organization.
The Community Harvest Food Bank is the leading source of emergency food assistance in Fort Wayne. The 26-year-old food rescue program distributed nearly 10 million pounds of food last year to member agencies throughout nine northeast Indiana counties. In total, more than 21,000 local residents last year benefited from donations made to Community Harvest Food Bank. Nearly 45% of the families served had children under the age of 18.
“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.”
Four Fort Wayne area Meijer stores take part in the food rescue program with the local food bank. Since it began working with the local food rescue organization in June 2009, Meijer has donated more than 100,000 pounds of food that was eventually distributed to nearly 500 different member agencies.
“We are so proud to have Meijer as a partner,” said Jane Avery, executive director, Community Harvest Food Bank. “If it weren’t for food retail partners like Meijer, we wouldn’t be able to keep up with the demand. Working with them provides fresh food we rarely have available to our clients. Good nutritious food is critically important to the health and well-being of folks who are struggling.”
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 to 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 $1.4 million in donations to local food banks through its Simply Give program.
Community Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Indiana is the largest hunger relief organization in northeast Indiana, annually distributing nearly 10 million pounds of food. Community Harvest collects wholesome surplus food and grocery products donated by the food industry – products that might otherwise go to a landfill – and utilizes it for hunger relief. The food is distributed by about 470 churches and human service agencies in its member agency network, serving 21,100 unduplicated clients per week throughout its nine northeast Indiana county service area. These agencies include food pantries, soup kitchens, homeless shelters, rehabilitation centers, and youth and senior citizen programs. Community Harvest Food Bank is a member of Feeding America and Feeding Indiana’s Hungry (FIsH). For more information, visit www.chfb.org <http://www.chfb.org>
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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