America's Second Harvest to Expand Nutrition Programs

America's Second Harvest
Monday, 23 June 2003

Expanded Partnership with Cargill and $200,000 Donation to Fund New Training Options

America's Second Harvest and Cargill today announced that Cargill's $200,000 donation will be used to fund food safety training programs, increase capacity for food service through Community Kitchens and create a Nutrition Initiative Network for affiliated food banks and food rescue organizations across the nation.

"Through their generous gift, we will be able to increase the capacity of food-preparation programs that provide nutritious meals to our after-school feeding programs, Kids Cafes," said Bob Forney, President and CEO of America's Second Harvest.

Cargill's support is also instrumental in creating the America's Second Harvest Nutrition Initiative through a grant of $100,000. The components of the Nutrition Initiative include the infusion of produce, seafood and protein items into our national distribution network and the creation of a Nutrition Initiative Network for our affiliates.

As part of the Nutrition Initiative, Cargill will fund "Day of Nutrition" events at local America's Second Harvest affiliates. Network nutritionists will provide technical assistance, food safety demonstrations, nutritious cooking and meal planning, and cooking demonstrations for the agencies.

"We are happy to assist America's Second Harvest in their efforts to meet the needs of those individuals that rely on their food banks," said Mark Murphy, manager of Cargill Stakeholder Relations. "Cargill is committed to projects that help enrich local communities by providing a safe, nutritious food supply."

For more information, or to contact America's Second Harvest, see their website at: www.secondharvest.org