Hormel Foods, America's Second Harvest Partner to Fight Hunger
Susan Hofer, 312/263-2303, ext. 127
312/286-5982 (cell)
Julie Craven,
Hormel Foods, 507/437-5345
Consumers can help provide premium ham products to people in need via the Hormel Hams for HungerTM program.
Chicago, IL -- September 3, 2002 -- The number of Americans suffering from hunger - including millions of children, senior citizens and people with jobs - is on the rise. In fact, the United States Department of Agriculture reports that more than 33 million Americans today (one in 10) are "food insecure." This means they are hungry or unsure of where their next meal will come from.
To make it easy for consumers - who now more than ever are looking for ways to help community members in need - to join in the fight against hunger, Hormel Foods Corporation and America's Second Harvest have announced a partnership to provide premium HormelTM CURE 81® hams to hungry people nationwide. Through the Hormel Hams for HungerTM program, Hormel Foods, America's Second Harvest, grocers and consumers across the country can join forces to ensure that millions of hungry people receive high-quality, protein-rich Hormel CURE 81 hams this holiday season and beyond.
Now in its 13th year, the Hormel Hams for Hunger program is part of Hormel Foods' longstanding commitment to fighting hunger in America. In 2001, approximately 84,000 Hormel CURE 81 hams with a retail value of more than $1 million were given to people in need. Since the Hormel Hams for Hunger program's inception in 1989, Hormel Foods has donated more than $8 million in premium hams.
The program involves grocery stores nationwide - when consumers purchase qualifying Hormel meat products from participating grocers between September 29 and December 28, those grocers earn "points" for those purchases. The points translate into certificates for Hormel CURE 81 hams. The certificates are donated to hunger charities, most of which will be part of the America's Second Harvest network of food banks, in the grocers' local markets. For every ham earned and donated to America's Second Harvest, Hormel Foods matches the donation in the grocer's name.
"Hormel Foods chose to partner with America's Second Harvest because we share that organization's passionate commitment to fighting hunger," said Joe Swedberg, vice president of marketing for meat products, Hormel Foods. "In addition, we are helping to fill an important nutritional need that other food shelfhunger-relief donations don't necessarily meet - protein. Hormel CURE 81 ham is a premium ham product that provides much-needed protein and is a delicious meal. Our partnership with America's Second Harvest helps us reach as many people in need as possible."
About Hormel Foods
Hormel Foods Corporation, based in Austin, Minn., is a
multinational manufacturer and marketer of consumer-branded food and meat
products, many of which are among the best known and trusted in the food
industry. The company leverages its extensive expertise, innovation and high
competencies in pork and turkey processing and marketing to bring quality,
value-added brands to the global marketplace. In both January 2001 and January
2002, Hormel Foods was named one of "The 400 Best Big Companies in America" by
Forbes magazine. The company enjoys a strong reputation among consumers, retail
grocers, foodservice and industrial customers for products highly regarded for
quality, taste, nutrition, convenience and value.
Hormel Hams for HungerTM Program
September 29 - December 28, 2002
Qualifying food purchases:
CURE 81® Ham
BLACK LABEL® Bacon
HORMEL® Canadian Bacon
HORMEL®
Microwave Bacon
HORMEL® Fully Cooked Bacon
LIGHT & LEAN® Lunch Meats
WRANGLERS® Smoked Franks & Smokies
HORMEL® Pepperoni
HORMEL®
ALWAYS TENDER® Flavored Pork
HORMEL® Deli Meats
HORMEL® Fully Cooked
Entrees
DUBUQUE® Plumper Franks
HORMEL® Smoked Loin products
PELOPONNESE® products
