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Hormel strikes deal with Second Harvest to fight hunger

FoodProcessing.com
05/25/2006

America's Second Harvest - The Nation's Food Bank Network (Chicago) and Hormel Foods Corp. (Austin, Minn.) on May 23 announced the signing of a two-year partnership agreement to work together to combat hunger in the United States.

As part of the agreement, Hormel Foods will make a $200,000 contribution to America's Second Harvest, sponsor special events to generate awareness and funding for the organization and continue to make large-scale protein product donations to the food bank network. In exchange for these contributions, Hormel becomes the "Leading Protein Sponsor" to America's Second Harvest.

"We are proud to formalize our already productive working relationship with Hormel Foods Corp.," said Vicki Escarra, president and chief executive officer of America's Second Harvest. "In addition to providing critically needed food products, Hormel is providing a significant cash donation through this agreement. They are also bringing a high level of thought leadership that will increase awareness of the prevalence of hunger in our nation."

In addition to the financial and product support included in the partnership agreement, Hormel Foods will commission a survey to better understand consumer perceptions of the issue of hunger and will also host a Hunger Summit later in the year to bring together non-profit organizations fighting hunger with legislative and business leaders to enter into a discussion to share best practices and better coordinate resources.

"It is very important to us that we give back to the communities where we live and work and we recognize that as a leading manufacturer of food products, we are in a unique position to help address the hunger issue in America," said Jeffrey Ettinger, president and chief executive officer of Hormel Foods Corp. "It is our sincere hope that this partnership with America's Second Harvest will make a difference for those in need."

About America's Second Harvest

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 programs 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 America's Second Harvest, please visit www.secondharvest.org.

About Hormel Foods

Hormel Foods Corp., based in Austin, Minn., is a multinational manufacturer and marketer of consumer-branded food and meat products, many of which are among the best known and trusted in the food industry. The company leverages its extensive expertise, innovation and high competencies in pork and turkey processing and marketing to bring quality, value-added brands to the global marketplace. In each of the last six years, Hormel Foods was named one of "The 400 Best Big Companies in America" by Forbes magazine. The company enjoys a strong reputation among consumers, retail grocers, foodservice and industrial customers for products highly regarded for quality, taste, nutrition, convenience and value. For more information, visit www.hormel.com.