Arizona is one of the top five states with the most food insecure children under 18 according to Feeding America, the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief charity. Today, America's pork producers donated 12,000 pounds of pork to St. Mary's Food Bank Alliance in Phoenix as part of the National Pork Industry Forum March 3-4.
"It is our way of giving back," said Dr. Don Davidson, president of the Arizona Pork Board and director of production operations for Farmer John. "As pork producers, community involvement is one of the ethical principles we follow. Making this donation is the right thing to do for our community."
With the combined unemployment and underemployment rates in Arizona remaining at more than 19 percent, St. Mary's Food Bank Alliance will need to distribute 36 million pounds of food into the community in the next six months – or more than 275,000 pounds of food each day.
"We really appreciate the support from America's pork producers," said Jerry Brown, communications specialist with St. Mary's Food Bank Alliance. "With one in five Arizonans living in poverty and one in seven Americans struggling with hunger, this donation will have a great impact on our community."
The National Pork Board partnered with Farmer John to make the 12,000 pound donation that equates to 60,000 meals.
The National Pork Board has responsibility for Checkoff-funded research, promotion and consumer information projects and for communicating with pork producers and the public. Through a legislative national Pork Checkoff, pork producers invest $0.40 for each $100 value of hogs sold. The Pork Checkoff funds national and state programs in advertising, consumer information, retail and foodservice marketing, export market promotion, production improvement, technology, swine health, pork safety and environmental management. For information on Checkoff-funded programs, pork producers can call the Pork Checkoff Service Center at (800) 456-7675 or check the Internet at www.pork.org.
ABOUT THE FOOD BANK: St. Mary's Food Bank Alliance, the world's first food bank, is a nonsectarian, nonprofit organization that alleviates hunger by efficiently gathering and distributing food to 534 sites that serve the hungry. Serving 13 of Arizona's 15 counties, the organization is a member of Feeding America, the national network of food banks, and is committed to volunteerism, building community relationships, and improving the quality of life for Arizonans in need. During Fiscal Year 2007-2008, the
Food Bank distributed 43.4 million pounds of food to families and individuals, provided enough food for 200,000 meals every day, and garnered more than 230,000 volunteer service hours. Web site: www.FirstFoodBank.org Phone: 602-242-FOOD.
Source: The National Pork Board