From left to right: Charley Di Mascio, Dave's Marketplace; Bruce Zarembka, Rhode Island Community Food Bank; Dennis Hogan, Dave's Marketplace; Ed Forte, Dave's Marketplace; Lisa Roth Blackman, Rhode Island Community Food Bank
FirstFruits Marketing created Take a Bite Out of Hunger with the goal of helping feed the underserved while bringing attention to the problem of food insecurity in the United States. This is the second year that FirstFruits Marketing has partnered to make fresh apple donations in a retailer’s name to local food banks. Retailers Sweetbay Supermarkets, Sobeys and United Supermarkets joined Grocery Outlet, Dave’s Marketplace, H-E-B and JH Harveys in filling the shelves of local food banks.
"As a first time supporter of the Take a Bite Out of Hunger program we couldn’t be more pleased with the results," enthused Kevin Hurley, manager of produce merchandising at Sweetbay Supermarkets. 'Our local food banks were so appreciative of the donation; it really felt great to support this initiative."
Donations were made for the second year to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank thanks to Dave’s Marketplace. "Dave’s has been a big supporter of the Take a Bite Out of Hunger program since its start in 2010," commented Dennis Jackson, category manager at FirstFruits. "Being present when the donation was made was really touching and I am proud to work with our retail partners on such a program."
The problem of hunger isn’t just about being hungry. It’s about food insecurity, or not having regular access to safe, affordable and nutritious foods. In 2010, 15% of all U.S. households were food-insecure. Of those 33% were children, 96% reported that the food they bought just did not last and they did not have money to get more, and 94% reported that they could not afford to eat balanced meals.
"For the second year our retail partners joined us in supporting a cause that is critical to our mission of helping the underserved," remarked Andy Tudor, marketing manager at FirstFruits Marketing of Washington. "We love providing fresh apples to the food banks because fresh and healthy produce is often missing from their pantries. Seeing the difference we can make in these communities is very encouraging and keeps us focused on getting more retailers involved next year."
For more information:
Andy Tudor
FirstFruits Marketing
Tel: +1 509-853-4712
[email protected]