America's Second Harvest Taps Senior Quaker Manager to Head Up Food Donations

America's Second Harvest
Thursday, 20 June 2002

Michael J. Halligan, a senior manager at the Chicago-based Quaker Foods and Beverages unit of PepsiCo, will join America's Second Harvest as Senior Vice President in charge of Food Business Development and Logistics in mid-July. America's Second Harvest, the nation's largest domestic hunger-relief organization, last year distributed 1.3 billion pounds of donated surplus food and grocery products to 23.3 million hungry Americans.

Halligan has 20 years of experience at Quaker Oats in supply chain management and operations, as well as in product development and marketing. "Michael's expertise will be very valuable in helping us maximize our efficiencies in the procurement, warehousing and distribution of food to our hungry neighbors. Michael has a successful track record in leadership and team building, and we are thrilled to have him on board," said Robert Forney, President & CEO of America's Second Harvest.

Michael will be responsible for overseeing and managing the food procurement and logistical operations of America's Second Harvest, and increasing the distribution of nutritious food to hungry people through the development of supply chain synergies and strategic alliances with food manufacturers. He will be charged with enhancing America's Second Harvest's existing relationships with food donors and help the tenth largest charity develop new strategic donors. Additionally, when the new tax code of the CARE legislation is enacted, there will be even more incentive for large manufacturers to donate and the incentive will extend for the first time to small businesses, restaurants, farmers and ranchers. Halligan's responsibilities will include maximizing that potential.

"I'm really looking forward to using my experience in the food industry towards fighting hunger. The business model for increasing efficiencies and building strategic alliances is a tremendous opportunity. It will be very gratifying to work together with donors, affiliates and the staff of America's Second Harvest to get a healthier diet to more people today than yesterday," Halligan comments.

With September 11 and the downturn of the economy, the need has increased dramatically across the country. Record numbers of people -- some for the first time -- are utilizing America's Second Harvest affiliates and their food pantries and soup kitchens to feed themselves and their families.

Halligan, 41, is married and has two sons, and lives in Hinsdale, Illinois.

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