America's Second Harvest Announces New Partnership With Del Monte Fresh Produce
CHICAGO --- May 3, 2006 --- America’s Second Harvest - The Nation's Food Bank Network, the nation's largest charitable hunger-relief organization, today announced that they have been named the “Charity of Choice” by Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A., Inc, a wholly owned subsidiary of Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc.
Bananas, pineapples, grapes, melons and other nutritious fresh fruit and vegetables will be donated to America’s Second Harvest Food Banks by all of Del Monte Fresh Produce’s 25 distribution centers in the United States.
“We are pleased and excited to be able to aid America’s Second Harvest in their fight against hunger in our nation. If everyone does a little, it goes a long way, so we are more than happy to do our small part in aiding such an important cause by partnering with such a great organization,” said Emanuel Lazapolous, Senior Vice President N.A Sales, Marketing and Product Management.
America’s Second Harvest is a Network of more than 200 food banks and food rescue organizations that serve more than 50,000 charitable agencies – soup kitchens, food pantries, Kids Cafes, shelters and senior feeding programs.
The Network provided a combined total of more than two billion pounds of food and grocery products to more than 25 million Americans in 2005. America’s Second Harvest also sent more than 70 million pounds of emergency food and grocery products to the areas impacted by the devastating Hurricanes that hit New Orleans and the surrounding Gulf areas in the summer of 2005.
“Del Monte Fresh Produce’s distribution centers have donated to America’s Second Harvest Food Banks for many years. Their contributions are especially welcome, as our goal is to provide those we serve with as much fresh and nutritious food as possible. We are extremely grateful that we have been named their ‘Charity of Choice,’” said Vicki Escarra, president and CEO of America's Second Harvest. "The infrastructure and safeguards provided by our Network will help ensure that their highly-valued donations will be moved quickly and efficiently to people at risk of hunger.”
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America’s Second Harvest - The Nation’s Food Bank Network has a Network of more than 200 Member food banks and food-rescue organizations serving all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Its primary role is supporting the 215 food banks that are a part of its network and providing food throughout the year, as well as in the wake of a national disaster, to those in need. During the recent hurricane season, it sent more than 66 million pounds of food to the effected areas and locations housing evacuees. This was in addition to the nearly two billion pounds moved by the network annually.
Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc . is one of the world’s leading vertically integrated producers, marketers and distributors of high-quality fresh and fresh-cut fruit and vegetables, as well as a leading producer and distributor of prepared fruit and vegetables, juices, beverages, snacks and desserts in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Fresh Del Monte markets its products worldwide under the Del Monte® brand, a symbol of product innovation, quality, freshness and reliability.
Contact:
Ross Fraser
Media Relations Manager
America’s Second
Harvest
312.641.6422
Matt Smith
Vice-President
Del Monte Fresh Produce
N.A.
305.520.8370
