Produce Alliance & Gulf Coast Produce Come Together To Help Disaster In Gulf Coast

Chicago, IL – Three consecutive days of historic rainfall has ravaged the Gulf Coast region of the United States this weekend, resulting in disaster-level flooding, loss of life and continuing emergency conditions. As this resilient community braces for ongoing cresting rivers, dangerous conditions, and lack of safety for its citizens, Produce Alliance is joining the efforts spearheaded by Gulf Coast Produce Distributor Inc., a member distributor of Produce Alliance, to try to lend a hand with this dire situation.

Christi Alise, President of Gulf Coast Produce Distributor Inc., stated, “This is worse than anyone could ever have imagined. The original flood was the first impact, but now comes the back drift flooding. There are thousands of people currently evacuating from their homes by boat. People are pulling up to the highway and interstate launching boats and driving to houses to find stranded families in the community and rescuing them. We are going to need, shelters, food, water, cleaning supplies, etc. for months and months to come. This is just the beginning. Thank you all so much for helping the desperate people in need.”

Recognizing importance of the emergent support being provided by Gulf Coast Produce Distributor Inc. in this very difficult situation, Produce Alliance has made a commitment to join them, in donating truckloads of fresh produce to families, first responders and others in need in the area. We invite you to participate with us in Gulf Coast’s program, by making a donation through the PA Foundation, to provide fresh essentials to those struggling through this ongoing flood disaster. If you would like to help real people facing real hardship, please log into: https://producealliance.wufoo.com/forms/z1e49n8z18ex4b6/

“It’s in times like these when the Produce Alliance family bands together to support one another. Mike, Christi and the Gulf Coast team knows too well what it takes to support their community and PA wants to stand by their side. While putting safe fresh produce on plates throughout the country is our day to day mission, Gulf Coast Produce, during Katrina and now goes, above and beyond to put safe fresh produce in the hands of victims,” Melissa Melshenker Ackerman, Executive Vice President of Sales, Produce Alliance.

One hundred percent of the donations made to the PA Foundation will go towards Gulf Coast’s community relief program, obtaining additional produce, fresh drinking water, and other necessities required to help the impacted communities stay healthy during this very difficult time. Your help will go a long way in ensuring some element of normalcy to this storm impacted community. Thank you for joining us in this collective act of kindness.

# # #

In 1996, Produce Alliance, LLC. pioneered representing customers to the premier grower/shipper community, providing access to the highest quality fresh produce under contracts which assured supply while managing cost and risk.

Today, they specialize in providing fresh produce procurement and distribution services to food service clients across North America, the Caribbean and beyond. Managing an alliance of 50+ independently-owned specialty distributors of fresh products, with combined produce sales of over $4 billion annually. Each are carefully selected using the most rigorous qualification criteria. They commit to full compliance with the PA audited distribution, purchasing, and category management programs designed for client success.

Source: Produce Alliance, LLC