Genuine Foods donates more than a million meals to Southeast food banks
Nutritious food supplies can support families hardest hit during recent crises
NEW ORLEANS, December 21, 2020 -- In response to the recent natural disasters and health and economic crises that continue to batter the region, eight regional food banks across the Southeast are receiving a donation of nutritious meal kits from Genuine Foods. Each meal kit feeds one person breakfast, lunch, dinner and a snack for seven days.
Recipients of the meal kids include:
Second Harvest Food Banks in Lafayette, La., and New Orleans.
Food Bank of Central Louisiana in Alexandria, La.
Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank.
Atlanta Community Food Bank.
Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana in Monroe, La.
Houston Food Bank.
Feeding the Gulf Coast, serving communities across south Alabama, south Mississippi, and the Florida Panhandle.
Combined, the eight food banks will receive the equivalent of well over a million meals, which can be used to feed families who have been hit the hardest by the myriad of emergencies in recent months.
“Second Harvest is so grateful to have the support of Genuine Foods during this time of unprecedented need,” said Emily Slazer, food sourcing manager for Second Harvest Food Bank in New Orleans. “The donations we've received from Genuine Foods will provide more than 115,000 meals for community members in need. These high quality, nutritious nonperishable food items have been so helpful for our hurricane response efforts. We look forward to continued partnership with Genuine Foods.”
“The need to provide food has increased to levels never seen before, so the generosity of donors, like Genuine Foods, has made a great impact,” said Jayne Wright-Velez, executive director of the Food Bank of Central Louisiana. “We are so grateful for the donation of 35,000 pounds of food to our food bank,” she continued.
“The holidays are always a time of increased need for food banks, with an even more difficult challenge due to the coronavirus pandemic” said Mike Manning, president and CEO of the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank. “We cannot thank Genuine Foods enough for their generous donation which allows us to provide nutritious meals during these trying times.”
"We are so thankful for the support of Genuine Foods during this time of uncertainty," said Kyle Waide, president and CEO of Atlanta Community Food Bank. "Food insecurity is at an all time high, and the 19,094 meals donated by Genuine Foods will greatly assist in our efforts to feed hungry Georgians this holiday season."
“We were beyond thrilled to receive the generous donation of shelf-stable meal kits,” said Jean Toth, executive director of the Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana. “The meals will help so many in Northeast Louisiana who are struggling to feed their families and have experienced such a tough year. Thank you Genuine Foods!”
“We are so grateful for the generous gift of 40 pallets of nutritious items from Genuine Foods,” says Katherine Tong, Economic Partnerships Manager at Houston Food Bank. “These products will be a huge help in providing variety to our program visitors, especially those visiting our School Markets where we were looking to provide more options. Thank you for helping our neighbors experiencing food insecurity and supporting our mission of food for better lives.”
“With substantial setbacks due to hurricanes and COVID-19, this year has disrupted normal life for all of us,” says Michael Ledger, president and CEO of Feeding the Gulf Coast. “A nutritious meal provides a sense of stability and hope for families struggling to make ends meet. Partnerships such as this directly support our ability to reach more individuals and families facing hunger especially during a time of such uncertainty. We are grateful for the generous donation of nutritious meal kits from Genuine Foods to make this happen.”
Genuine Foods provides fresh, culturally-relevant food service programs for schools and other community organizations in the area, including in Louisiana, Tennessee and Mississippi, as well as other states up and down the East Coast. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the company has also delivered more than 650,000 meals per week for emergency food programs.
The food banks received the same meal kits Genuine Foods delivers through its school and emergency food programs, which contain protein, fruit and vegetables, grains, cereals and milk.
“In times like this, having access to good food on a regular basis is so important, especially for families that are struggling,” said Jeff Mills, chief executive officer of Genuine Foods. “Whether it’s through this meal donation, or through our ongoing food programs for schools and during emergencies, we want to make sure as many families as possible are comforted by having healthy, nutritious, tasty meals.”
About Genuine Foods
Genuine Foods delivers high quality, fresh, culturally relevant food service programs to K-12 schools, higher education, seniors and communities across the country. With an emphasis on fresh ingredients, regional supplier relationships and meals that celebrate local cultures and communities, Genuine Foods aims to improve the lives and livelihoods of people and communities so that their most vulnerable members can flourish. More information at www.genuinefoods.com.
Media Contact:
Becky Engel
On behalf of Genuine Foods
503.330.6924