Tyson and America's Second Harvest Announce Three-Year National
Partnership; U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln Helps to Raise Awareness in the
Fight Against Hunger
WASHINGTON, May 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Millions of people at risk
of hunger across the United States will add high-quality protein to their
plate, thanks to a six-million pound donation of chicken by Tyson Foods,
Inc. (NYSE: TSN), to America's Second Harvest - The Nation's Food Bank
Network. The donation is the largest commitment of protein ever given in
the fight against hunger in America.
Tyson Foods and America's Second Harvest also announced today a
three-year partnership, with Tyson Foods pledging at least 10 million
pounds of protein to the nationwide food bank network and charitable
domestic hunger-relief organization. The network consists of more than 200
food banks that provide food and grocery products to agencies that serve
people at the greatest risk of hunger.
"We face significant challenges in the fight against hunger," said U.S.
Senator Blanche Lincoln, co-founder of the U.S. Senate Hunger Caucus. "I'd
like to commend Tyson Foods and America's Second Harvest, who have come
together to form this important partnership to fight hunger in America's
communities. This collaborative partnership is a great example of how
charitable organizations and corporations can come together to gain
significant ground towards our shared goal of ending hunger in America."
The six-million pound donation will make a significant impact on the
fight against hunger, according to Vicki B. Escarra, president and CEO of
America's Second Harvest. "We have thus far been able to distribute 4.4
million pounds of the donation to dozens of food banks from New York to
Honolulu, helping us serve working families, children at our Kids Cafe
programs, senior citizens, the disabled, the homeless and victims of
domestic violence."
The Second Harvest Network of food banks and food-rescue organizations
provides emergency hunger-relief services to an estimated 25.3 million
people each year, or roughly nine percent of all Americans, according to
the recently released report Hunger in America 2006. This represents an 8%
increase since Hunger in America 2001, and an 18% increase since Hunger in
America 1997.
"It's very important to our team members to assure a ready supply of
much needed protein to people in critical need of nourishment," said John
Tyson, CEO of Tyson Foods. "Through this donation and our partnership with
America's Second Harvest, we want to continue making an impact where we
can," he added.
Protein is one of the most efficient and long-lasting sources of
energy. The chicken donated today is one of the most concentrated sources
of protein - - an essential nutrient of life. The average person -- man,
woman or child -- needs to eat about 0.4 grams of protein for every pound
of body weight, every day. This is approximately equivalent to 50-65 grams
(6-8 ounces) of chicken, beef, or pork. In addition to being good sources
of protein, meat and poultry supply other essential nutrients (e.g., B6,
B12, iron and zinc) that are important to good health.
Tyson's Ongoing Commitment to Hunger Relief
Since Tyson's partnership with hunger relief agencies began in 2000,
the company has provided more than 35 million pounds of chicken, beef and
pork -- supplying more than 201 million meals with essential protein -- to
benefit more than 400 hunger-relief organizations across the U.S. Tyson has
made a significant impact leading the fight against hunger through its
relationships with nationwide organizations. For example, Share Our
Strength (SOS) is a national nonprofit that inspires and organizes
individuals and businesses to share their strengths in innovative ways to
help end childhood hunger in America and abroad. Tyson helps to sponsor the
SOS Operation Frontline, a nutrition education program that fights
childhood hunger by teaching families how to make healthy and budget-wise
food choices. USDA information indicates that 12% of Americans are food
insecure; meaning their access to enough food is limited by a lack of money
and other resources, according to its 2004 report by the Economic Research
Service. Tyson supports programs to include in-kind contributions, team
volunteer programs, advertising and marketing support, and national
sponsorships. It's through collaboration and partnerships of government,
charitable organizations and corporations that will help organizations
accomplish their missions.
America's Second Harvest -- The Nation's Food Bank Network is the
largest charitable domestic hunger-relief organization in the country with
a Network of more than 200 Member food banks and food-rescue organizations
serving all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The
America's Second Harvest Network secures and distributes more than 2
billion pounds of donated food and grocery products annually; and supports
approximately 50,000 local charitable agencies operating more than 94,000
programs including food pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters,
after-school programs and Kids Cafes. Last year, the America's Second
Harvest Network provided food assistance to more than 25 million low-income
hungry people in the United States, including nearly 9 million children and
nearly 3 million seniors. For more on the America's Second Harvest Network,
please visit http://www.secondharvest.org .
Share Our Strength, one of the nation's leading anti-hunger
organizations, is fueled by a simple but powerful philosophy: It takes more
than food to fight hunger. The organization mobilizes thousands of
individuals to organize events, host dinners, teach cooking and nutrition
classes to low-income families and serve as anti-hunger advocates. Share
Our Strength believes it takes each of us, sharing our strength, to make a
difference. Since its founding in 1984, Share Our Strength has raised more
than $163 million to support more than 1,000 anti-hunger, anti-poverty
organizations worldwide. For more information, please visit
http://www.strength.org
Tyson Foods, Inc., founded in 1935 with headquarters in Springdale,
Arkansas, is the world's largest processor and marketer of chicken, beef,
and pork, the second-largest food 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, which are marketed under the "Powered by Tyson(TM)"
strategy. Tyson is the recognized market leader in the retail and
foodservice markets it serves, providing products and service to customers
throughout the United States and more than 80 countries. The company has
approximately 114,000 Team Members employed at more than 300 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.
SOURCE Tyson Foods, Inc.; America's Second Harvest
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Related links:
http://www.tyson.com
http://www.secondharvest.org http://www.strength.org
CONTACT:
Ross Fraser of America's Second Harvest,
+1-312-263-2303, ext. 6611, or rfraser@secondharvest.org ; or
Katie Laning of Office of Senator Blanche Lincoln,
+1-202-224-4843, or Katie_Laning@lincoln.senate.gov ; or Gary
Mickelson of Tyson Foods, Inc., +1-479-290-6111; or Michael
Clark, general information, +1-479-443-4673, or cell,
+1-479-879-1571, or michael@mitchcommgroup.com , for Tyson Foods,
Inc.
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