SPRINGDALE, Ark., June 4, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- The largest single protein donation made in California will help ensure those in need have more to eat, thanks to Tyson Foods and its team members. In anticipation of National Hunger Awareness Day on June 5, Tyson announced plans today to donate more than 600,000 pounds of protein over the next two weeks to 17 California food bank members of America's Second Harvest -- the Nation's Food Bank Network. The donations will be delivered by Tyson trucks and company team members who will be on site to help with the unloading.
The donation is part of Tyson's ongoing commitment to be a leader and supporter of hunger-relief initiatives. Since 2000, the company has donated more than $3 million and 42 million pounds of chicken, beef and pork products to more than 400 hunger-relief agencies nationwide.
Food banks and organizations in California receiving donations include:
* Find Inc., Cathedral City * Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano, Concord * Community Food Bank, Fresno * Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, Los Angeles * America's Second Harvest Food Bank of San Joaquin, Manteca * Alameda County Community Food Bank, Oakland * Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County, Orange * Foodshare, Inc., Oxnard * Second Harvest Food Bank Serving Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, Riverside * Community Resources Council, Roseville * Food Bank For Monterey County, Salinas * San Francisco Food Bank, San Francisco * Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara, San Jose * Food Bank of Santa Barbara County, Santa Barbara * Redwood Empire Food Bank, Santa Rosa * Foodlink For Tulare County, Visalia * Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Cruz and Santa Benito, Watsonville
"Our team members are passionate about the fight against hunger," said Ed Nicholson, director of community relations for Tyson Foods. "We are making this donation to support so many food banks and organizations who are working tirelessly in the fight against hunger in California. We are proud to be associated with these agencies and the good work they do."
The need for hunger relief in California is great. The USDA Economic Research Service "Household Food Security in the United States" survey released in 2006 reported an average of 11.7 percent of California households were food insecure between 2003 and 2005. The American Dietetic Association defines hunger insecurity as "limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods or limited or uncertain ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways." The America's Second Harvest' Almanac of Hunger and Poverty in America 2006, published in June 2006, reported an estimated 13.2 percent of Californians lived below the poverty level. The figure is based on a three-year average on the years studied from 2002 to 2004.
"We are grateful for Tyson's donation to our food banks in California," said Vickie B. Escarra, president and CEO of America's Second Harvest. "Tyson's support of National Hunger Awareness Day is a tremendous contribution to our mission of helping to provide food and grocery products to people at risk of hunger. Donations of poultry and other high protein foods are especially valuable, as they help us provide our clients with healthful and highly nutritious foods."
Last year alone, Tyson and its team members held more than 60 food donation events. Protein is consistently one of the least donated yet most needed items at food banks. The company works closely with two leading organizations in the fight against hunger: America's Second Harvest -- The Nation's Food Bank Network; and Share Our Strength.
For more information on how to get involved in the fight against hunger, go to www.tyson.com, http://www.secondharvest.org/ or www.strength.org
About National Hunger Awareness Day
On June 5, 2007 communities across the country will remember more than 35 million Americans suffering from hunger or food insecurity by recognizing Hunger Awareness Day. Since 2002, Hunger Awareness Day has provided an opportunity for everyone in the United States to unite in support for one of the most solvable social issues in this country -- hunger.
The America's Second Harvest Network of more than 200 Member food banks and food-rescue organizations and serving more than 50,000 charitable agencies will commemorate Hunger Awareness Day 2007 through interfaith services, donor events, public policy activities, a postcard campaign and other events. Country Music Television is our proud media sponsor of Hunger Awareness Day 2007. To learn more, please visit www.secondharvest.org.
America's Second Harvest -- The Nation's Food Bank Network is the largest charitable domestic hunger-relief organization in the country with a Network of more than 200 Member food banks and food-rescue organizations serving all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The America's Second Harvest Network secures and distributes more than 2 billion pounds of donated food and grocery products annually; and supports approximately 50,000 local charitable agencies operating more than 94,000 programs including food pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, after-school programs and Kids Cafes. Last year, the America's Second Harvest Network provided food assistance to more than 25 million low-income hungry people in the United States, including 9 million children and nearly 3 million seniors. For more on the America's Second Harvest Network, please visit www.secondharvest.org.
Since 1984, Share Our Strength(r) has led the fight against hunger and poverty by inspiring individuals and businesses to share their strengths. Today, its priority is to end childhood hunger in America. By raising funds to support the most effective community-based programs that feed hungry children, partnering with organizations that pursue long-term solutions, and helping families help themselves through nutrition education programs, Share Our Strength will ensure that the more than 12 million children at risk of hunger have access to the nutritious food they need to learn, grow and thrive. For more information, please visit www.strength.org.
Tyson Foods, Inc., www.tyson.com, (NYSE:TSN), founded in 1935 with headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas, is the world's largest processor and marketer of chicken, beef, and pork, the second-largest food production company in the Fortune 500 and a member of the S&P 500. The company produces a wide variety of protein-based and prepared food products, which are marketed under the "Powered by Tyson(tm)" strategy. Tyson is the recognized market leader in the retail and foodservice markets it serves, providing products and service to customers throughout the United States and more than 80 countries. The company has approximately 107,000 Team Members employed at more than 300 facilities and offices in the United States and around the world. Through its Core Values, Code of Conduct and Team Member Bill of Rights, Tyson strives to operate with integrity and trust and is committed to creating value for its shareholders, customers and Team Members. The company also strives to be faith-friendly, provide a safe work environment and serve as stewards of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it.
The Tyson Foods, Inc. logo is available at http://www.primenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=3224