Tyson Foods Invests in Feeding America Affiliated Food Banks to Help Serve Hungry Neighbors

$1.2 Million Investment to Address Food Insecurity through Mobile Pantries, Increase Capacity in 15 States 

Springdale, Ark. – May 2, 2018 – As part of Tyson Foods’ (NYSE: TSN) efforts to raise the world’s expectations for how much good food can do and its commitment to support the communities it serves, the company announced today nearly $1.2 million in grants to 18 Feeding America food banks in 15 states. The investments represent approximately four million pounds of food or the equivalent of 16 million servings of protein that will be distributed to address food insecurity. 

Tyson Foods is a Mission Partner of Feeding America and supports its network of food banks with financial contributions, product donations of much needed protein, disaster relief assistance and volunteerism.

The company’s efforts to support its communities include $160,000 to the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore for its food rescue program based in Tasley, Va. The initiative collects prepared and perishable food from 150 area grocery stores, restaurants, caterers and discount retailers for distribution to the food insecure. The grant is expected to add an estimated 96,000 pounds annually to the food rescue program.

“The support we receive from partners like Tyson Foods is invaluable to our mission to eliminate hunger in our community,” said Charmin Horton, Branch Manager, Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore. “Through this grant, we will be able to provide an additional 80,000 meals to families facing food insecurity – significantly increasing our impact in the region.”

Tyson Foods also awarded $125,000 to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee in Nashville, Tenn. The grant will be used to complete the food bank’s transition to AgencyLinkTN, an e-commerce platform that manages the 32,000,000 pounds of food distributed to the food bank’s network of agencies. Funds will be used to establish a mobile pantry that is expected to deliver 240,000 pounds of produce, dry goods and canned protein via monthly distributions.

“Food banks can’t end hunger alone,” said Jaynee Day, president and CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. “That is why we are so grateful for partners like Tyson Foods that are truly committed to ending hunger. This funding will not only allow us to upgrade our technology so we can work more efficiently with our partner agencies, but it will also provide much-needed food to our neighbors in need.”

An $80,000 grant was awarded to the Northeast Iowa Food Bank for refrigeration renovation of the food bank’s clean and sort room for the safe and efficient repacking of bulk protein donations. Once renovations are complete, the food bank expects to repack approximately 240,000 pounds of protein in the first year. 

“One of the most requested items the Northeast Iowa Food Bank receives from both our member agencies and the clients we serve, is protein,” stated Barbara Prather, Executive Director. “The addition of the cold room to our facility will enable us to repackage bulk meat product and distribute it more readily to people in need through our member agencies and programs. Tyson Foods’ partnership with the food bank is once again enabling us to build capacity and help us work to close the meal gap.”

Other organizations Tyson Foods supported with recent grants include: 

  • Arkansas Food Bank, Little Rock, Arkansas – $150,000 – Capital campaign to increase warehouse capacity
  • Second Harvest Inland Northwest, Pasco, Washington – $92,000 – Expand capacity to distribute 445,000 pounds of additional fresh produce and other food, equivalent to approximately 371,000 meals
  • Northern Illinois Food Bank, Geneva, Illinois – $75,000 – Purchase refrigerated box truck
  • Greater Chicago Food Depository, Chicago, Illinois – $65,000 – Purchase refrigerated box truck
  • High Plains Food Bank, Amarillo, Texas – $54,858 – Mobile Food Pantry 
  • River Bend Food Bank, Davenport, Iowa – $50,000 – Hire a Major Gifts Officer for donor relations
  • Northwest Arkansas Food Bank, Bethel Heights, Arkansas – $45,000 – Mobile Food Pantry
  • Second Harvest Community Food Bank, St. Joseph, Missouri – $40,000 – Mobile Food Pantry
  • The Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri, Columbia, Missouri – $40,000 – Mobile Food Pantry
  • Mississippi Food Network, Jackson, Mississippi – $40,000 – Mobile Food Pantry
  • San Antonio Food Bank, San Antonio, Texas – $40,000 – Mobile Food Pantry
  • Food Bank for the Heartland, Omaha, Nebraska – $37,2000 – Mobile Pantry
  • Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan, Detroit, Michigan – $36,000 – Mobile Food Pantry
  • Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana, Inc., Muncie, Indiana – $28,000 – Mobile Food Pantry
  • Community Food Bank of Central Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama – $25,000 – Mobile Food Pantry    

 

About Tyson Foods 

Tyson Foods Inc. (NYSE: TSN) is one of the world’s largest food companies and a recognized leader in protein. Founded in 1935 by John W. Tyson and grown under three generations of family leadership, the company has a broad portfolio of products and brands like Tyson®, Jimmy Dean®, Hillshire Farm®, Ball Park®, Wright®, Aidells®, ibp® and State Fair®. Tyson Foods innovates continually to make protein more sustainable, tailor food for everywhere it’s available and raise the world’s expectations for how much good food can do. Headquartered in Springdale, Arkansas, the company has 122,000 team members. Through its Core Values, Tyson Foods strives to operate with integrity, create value for its shareholders, customers, communities and team members and serve as a steward of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it. Visit www.tysonfoods.com.

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Media Contact:

Derek Burleson, 479-290-6466