September 24, 2020

Perdue Farms Funds $100,000 Grant for Food Bank Operations

Perdue Farms, through its Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation, has funded a $100,000 grant to purchase a new refrigerated van and state-of-the-art standup forklift for Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina, which serves counties and North and South Carolina and has seen a tremendous increase in demand for nutritious food since the beginning of the Covid-19 crisis. The new assets have been deployed since mid-March, helping the food bank distribute more than 180,000 nutritionally balanced food boxes to many of its 800-plus partner agencies across a 24-county service region.

The van has been used to collect donated food from grocery stores and other food donors that might otherwise be thrown away. The standup forklift, which features Bluetooth wireless, allows the operator to weigh product right on the spot versus traveling throughout the warehouse and it is easier to maneuver in tight spaces.

“Second Harvest is extremely grateful to Perdue for their support in feeding our neighbors throughout the year and especially during this uncertain time as the need has greatly increased due to unemployment rates being extremely high, children still missing school meals and many seniors are still quarantined,” said Kay Carter, CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina.

The Perdue gifts align with the company’s “Delivering Hope To Our Neighbors” hunger relief initiative focused on providing access to nutritious protein for people struggling with hunger and making meaningful progress toward ending hunger. In January, the Perdue Foundation, the charitable giving arm of Perdue Farms, announced a $1 million donation to support 10 of its Feeding America-affiliated food bank partners in celebration of the company’s Centennial.

“At Perdue, we believe no one in a country as rich in resources like ours should have to go hungry,” said Jim Perdue, Chairman of Perdue Farms. “As a food company, we value the opportunity to help address the challenges of food insecurity that so many people face every day. We are proud of our partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank and the opportunity to help them meet the needs of our neighbors during such an uncertain time.”

“As part of the company’s 100th year, the Foundation decided to invest in fighting hunger and highlight our company’s desire to address food insecurity across the country. We are honored to expand our partnership with the food bank and help them purchase resources to help fulfill their mission,” notes Kim Nechay, executive director of the Perdue Foundation.

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