$1 Million in Produce Donated Through Feeding Our Frontlines Initiative
Leading fresh produce companies, are donating more than $1 million in fresh fruits and vegetables to benefit healthcare responders on the front lines in the US through the Feeding Our Frontlines initiative done in collaboration with Pro Act.
More than 35,000 boxes filled with fresh produce and vegetables are being distributed to healthcare establishments so employees can take repacked boxes of produce home at the end of a long shift, with the roughly 12-15 pound box feeding a family of four for up to a week.
According to The Produce News, Pro Act has made Produce Partners the information hub of initiative news.
Distribution of the produce is being prioritized to the hospitals that are at the epicenter of the COVID-19 crisis including New York Presbyterian, Johns Hopkins, Massachusetts General and hospitals in 16 other states.
Driscoll’s, a leader in fresh berries, was the first company to commit more than $350,000 in berry donations to this initiative. Additional produce companies who are contributing to the effort include Sunkist, Taylor Farms, Dole, Mission, Rainier, Wada Farms, Mann Packing and Grimmway Farms.
“Our industry is built on successful partnerships,” said Pro Act COO Brian Kane. “In a time when our communities are coming together to make sacrifices to protect the vulnerable, we are proud to stand with partners committed to providing for the brave. Our distributors, suppliers and employees are thankful for this tangible way to support healthcare employees at the end of long, stressful shift. The last thing we want is for them to worry about providing for their families during their daily battles on the frontline.”
“We’re pleased that members of the produce industry have been committing resources during this time of need,” said J. Miles Reiter, chairman and CEO of Driscoll’s. “We are all working together to ensure communities are supported and we’d like to recognize the extraordinary healthcare efforts by giving back where we can.”