Chef Aaron McCargo Jr. and Tyson Foods Team Up to Fight Hunger in South Jersey
PENNSAUKEN, New Jersey, April 25, 2012 – Chef Aaron McCargo, Jr. and Tyson Foods, Inc. today donated 30,000 pounds of protein to the Food Bank of South Jersey as part of an effort to feed people in need and promote public awareness of hunger in America. The food is equivalent to 120,000 meals.
“It is such a blessing to be in a position where I can give back to my community and my partnership with Tyson Foods, Inc and KNOW Hunger has allowed us to create an amazing platform not only to discuss these problems but create solutions,” says Chef McCargo. “We look forward to continuing these efforts with the hopes of making a dramatic difference in the lives of those within South Jersey.”
McCargo’s initial claim to fame was winning is own Food Network show, now dubbed “Big Daddy’s House,” which began production in 2008. He is an advocate of hunger awareness and building family bonds by getting everyone involved in the act of cooking.
McCargo has also lent his time, talent and recognition to public service, including being a tireless advocate for national hunger relief organizations, and the formation of his own youth character development non-profit, Play to Win.
Last year Tyson launched the “KNOW Hunger” campaign to raise hunger awareness. As part of the campaign, the company released the results of a survey which found that one in four Americans is worried about having enough money to put food on the table in the next year. Another key finding is that many Americans are unaware of how serious hunger is in their own communities. It’s part of an idea to let people know that hunger exists in every single community in our country. We should all KNOW Hunger.
One component of the KNOW Hunger campaign is a series of videos in which notable people relate their own knowledge of hunger. Chef McCargo talks about seeing hunger in the Camden community and his own work, both in hunger relief, and with Play to Win.
Clearly there is a need for hunger relief in New Jersey. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s latest American Community Survey Profile, 10.3 percent of New Jersey’s population is living in poverty; however, more than 14 percent of children under age 18 in New Jersey live in poverty. The Food Bank says that in Burlington, Camden, Gloucester and Salem counties more than 170,000 people have been identified as food insecure.
Food Bank of South Jersey distributed more than 10 million pounds of food in 2011 throughout its four-county service area. On average, of the thousands of households served each year with emergency food assistance, approximately 36 percent of these households have children and 12 percent have seniors.
“Since we’re in the food business it makes sense for our company to donate protein to feed people in need; however, we also believe in raising hunger awareness,” said Donnie Smith, president and CEO of Tyson Foods. “We're encouraging people across the nation, including our own team members, to step forward and get involved in the fight against hunger.”
Tyson Foods has fought hunger in the U.S. for a decade, donating more than 86 million pounds of protein, or the equivalent of 344 million meals. The company partners with Food Research and Action Center, Feeding America, Share Our Strength, Lift Up America and the League of United Latin American Citizens to raise awareness and help feed the hungry across the nation.
Meat and poultry are excellent sources of heme iron, which is especially important for women, children and adolescent girls, who are often deficient in iron. For more information on the nutritional value of meat and poultry, go to: http://www.meatpoultrynutrition.org/ht/d/sp/i/26062/pid/26062
For more information on Tyson’s hunger relief efforts, go to: http://www.tysonhungerrelief.com/
The Food Bank of South Jersey is a member of Feeding America™, formally named America's Second Harvest, the Nation's Food Bank Network™ and the largest domestic hunger relief organization. Food Bank of South Jersey is an affiliate partner of United Way Burlington, Camden, Gloucester counties and other United Ways throughout the Delaware Region.
Food Bank of South Jersey is the largest source of government and " non-government" food assistance in South Jersey. We are the only major agency in South Jersey whose mission is to eliminate hunger and malnutrition by ensuring that wholesome surplus food reach people in need. Our centralized food donation and distribution system is a vital community link ensuring that low-income and disadvantaged residents can access free groceries and wholesome meals from a charitable food provider in their neighborhood.
Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN), founded in 1935 with headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas, is one of the world's largest processors and marketers 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 and is the recognized market leader in the retail and foodservice markets it serves. Tyson provides products and services to customers throughout the United States and more than 130 countries. The company has approximately 115,000 Team Members employed at more than 400 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.
Chef Aaron McCargo, Jr. was born and raised in Camden, New Jersey. He rose to fame following his Season Four victory on “The Next Food Network Star” in 2008. Later that year, “Big Daddy’s House” premiered and with the show’s continued success, Aaron has proven he’s a staple in the world of celebrity chefs.
As someone who has always enjoyed all things flavorful, Aaron’s ever evolving culinary brand has grown to include McCargos, his namesake restaurant, a cookbook, Simply Done, Well Done, a line of spices and herbs and Play to Win, his own youth-focused non-profit. Additionally, the chef is a spokesperson for several national brands.
His rise to fame has been covered everywhere from The New York Times and Sunset magazine to Savoy and Star and he has been featured on numerous national shows including The Today Show, Regis and Kelly, The Dr. Oz Show, ABC’s The Chew and Rachael Ray.
A true family man, Aaron lives in New Jersey and is happily married with three beautiful children. In his spare time he enjoys Bible study, tennis, Buffalo wings, watching sports, and traveling.
For more, please visit: www.AaronMcCargo.com <http://www.AaronMcCargo.com> .
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Contacts:
Worth Sparkman, Tyson Foods, Inc., 479-290-6358, worth.sparkman@tyson.com