America's Second Harvest, Newman's Own, Ford Strengthen Commitment to Fight Hunger

Sue Hofer, America's Second Harvest, 312/263-2303 x127
Brook Galbraith, Ford Motor Company, 313/323-0646
Michael Havard, Newman's Own, 203/222-0136

Dearborn, MI -- October 25, 2002 - America's Second Harvest, Newman's Own and Ford Motor Company have partnered again to provide trucks and food to 12 food banks to address the growing issue of hunger in rural America. Robert Forney, President and CEO, America's Second Harvest; Tom Indoe, COO of Newman's Own; and Martin B. Zimmerman, Group Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Ford, participated in the announcement made today at Ford World Headquarters in Dearborn.

The three organizations announced their "Partnership for Hunger Relief" last year. Today's donation reinforces America's Second Harvest, Newman's Own and Ford's commitment to improving food distribution in rural communities in the U.S. The keys to 12 Ford trucks - four from Newman's Own, eight from Ford - and an assortment of Newman's Own food products today were given to representatives from America's Second Harvest food banks.

Paul Newman said of the alliance, "This has been a compelling and rewarding partnership. We are proud to partner with America's Second Harvest and Ford."

Food distribution is a major challenge in rural hunger relief efforts. Some food banks serve areas as large as 5,000 square miles and most do not have reliable vehicles that can reach remote rural areas.

"Ford Motor Company is proud to once again partner with America's Second Harvest and Newman's Own to help improve food distribution in rural communities," said Martin B. Zimmerman, group vice president of Corporate Affairs at Ford. "For nearly 100 years, we have continued to strengthen our commitment to communities and improving the quality of life for the people who live in the places where we do business."

According to Robert Forney, President and CEO, America's Second Harvest, the partnership is innovative and raises awareness to a real concern in rural America. "The latest Census figures confirm that poverty and unemployment rates are higher in rural America than in metropolitan areas. It's shameful that so many people need to turn to a food bank or church pantry just to eat in the very same communities where the food is raised," said Forney.

America's Second Harvest is the largest domestic hunger-relief organization in the United States, feeding people in rural, urban and suburban communities. Paul Newman donates all after-tax profits from the sale of Newman's Own products to educational and charitable causes. Since 1982, he has donated more than $125 million to thousands of charities.

The distribution cities are:

Second Harvest Food Bank of the Inland Northwest
Spokane, WA
Oregon Food Bank
Portland, OR
The Redwood Empire Food Bank
Santa Rosa, CA
Care and Share Food Bank
Colorado Springs, CO
Food Bank of the Rockies
Denver, CO
America's Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia
Savannah, GA
Huntington Area Food Bank
Huntington, WV
Fredericksburg Area Food Bank
Fredericksburg, VA
Chattanooga Area Food Bank
Chattanooga, TN
Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee
Knoxville, TN
Second Harvest Food Bank of Clark, Champaign, and Logan Counties
Springfield, OH
The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts
Hatfield, MA