NORTHFIELD, Ill., July 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Kraft Foods
Foundation and Feeding America are rolling out 10 new mobile pantry
vehicles to reach those hardest hit with food insecurity –
African-American and Latino populations. According to the USDA, one
in four families within these groups is considered food insecure,
versus one in six in the general population. And the rate for
children at risk for food insecurity within these groups is around
one in three.
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090420/KRAFTLOGO)
With the help of Feeding America, the nation's largest
hunger-relief organization, and local food banks, this first-of-its
kind minority outreach mobile pantry program will deliver food to
underserved neighborhoods. Many of these neighborhoods are
food deserts – areas where residents might not have access to
grocery stores and emergency food assistance. The mobile pantry
trucks will deliver 9 million pounds of fresh produce and mealtime
staples to families each year.
"The numbers show us that many African-American and Latino
families are struggling to make ends meet and facing significant
challenges to putting dinner on the table," said Nicole Robinson, Vice President, Kraft Foods
Foundation. "By partnering with communities of color, we're
delivering the innovation of mobile pantries to families
disproportionately impacted by hunger. Stocked with a
variety of fresh fruit, vegetables, dairy and protein items, mobile
pantries help close the gap for our neighbors in need."
'Farmers'-Market-on-Wheels'
The Kraft Foods Foundation Mobile Pantry program is the
first mobile pantry program to specifically target outreach to
African-American and Latino families disproportionately impacted by
food insecurity. The program is rolling out in Columbus, Ga.; Concord, Calif.; Corpus Christi, Texas; Elmsford, N.Y.; Greely, Colo.; Houston, Texas; Milwaukee, Wis.; Newark, Del.; San
Antonio, Texas; and Valdosta, Ga.
The 10 refrigerated trucks - "farmers'-markets-on-wheels" -
bring fresh fruit, vegetables, protein and dairy products that are
especially important for good nutrition and often missing from the
diets of families facing food insecurity.
Each truck stops at neighborhood food pantries, churches or
school parking lots an average of 120 times a year. Community
volunteers organize the food distributions, while clients are
invited to select food as they would at a farmers' market – produce
like fresh lettuce, crunchy apples, crisp green beans and other
meal-time staples.
This year's vehicles bring the Kraft Foods Foundation Mobile
Pantry fleet to 35 trucks. Over the course of the four
year/$6 million partnership, the
fleet aims to deliver nearly 70 million meals to our neighbors in
need.
"Kraft Foods has been a dedicated partner in the fight against
hunger," said Vicki Escarra,
President and CEO of Feeding America. "By targeting areas with the
greatest need, Kraft is helping to bring fresh, nutritious food to
African-American and Latino families in locations that are
underserved by traditional food-assistance agencies."
Kraft Foods and its Foundation have a long history of fighting
hunger and have partnered with Feeding America for decades to do
just that. The mobile pantry program is one of many programs
making a difference in communities where the company's employees
live and work.
About Kraft Foods
The company and the Kraft Foods Foundation have donated
more than $1 billion in cash and food
to hunger-relief organizations over the past 25 years.
Through support of partners, including Save the Children, Feeding
America, INMED Partnerships for Children, Charities Aid Federation
and CARE, the company and Foundation support programs on almost
every continent.
Kraft Foods Inc. (NASDAQ: KFT) is a global snacks powerhouse
with an unrivaled portfolio of brands people love. Proudly
marketing delicious biscuits, confectionery, beverages, cheese,
grocery products and convenient meals in approximately 170
countries, Kraft Foods had 2011 revenue of $54.4 billion. Twelve of the company's
iconic brands – Cadbury, Jacobs, Kraft, LU, Maxwell House, Milka,
Nabisco, Oreo, Oscar Mayer,
Philadelphia, Tang and Trident –
generate revenue of more than $1
billion annually. On Aug. 4,
2011, Kraft Foods announced plans to divide and create two
independent public companies: a high-growth global snacks business
and a high-margin North American grocery business. The
transaction is expected to be completed before the end of
2012. A leader in innovation, marketing, health &
wellness and sustainability, Kraft Foods is a member of the Dow
Jones Industrial Average, Standard & Poor's 500, Dow Jones
Sustainability Index and Ethibel Sustainability Index. Visit
kraftfoodscompany.com and
facebook.com/kraftfoodscorporate.
About Feeding America
Feeding America provides low-income individuals and
families with the fuel to survive and even thrive. As the nation's
leading domestic hunger-relief charity, our network members supply
food to more than 37 million Americans each year, including 14
million children and 3 million seniors. Serving the entire
United States, more than 200
member food banks support 61,000 agencies that address hunger in
all of its forms. For more information on how you can fight hunger
in your community and across the country, visit
http://www.feedingamerica.org. Find us on Facebook at
facebook.com/FeedingAmerica or follow our news on Twitter at
twitter.com/FeedingAmerica.
— make today delicious —
SOURCE Kraft Foods