JACKSONVILLE, Fla.- Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. announced today the complete roll out of its Food Recovery Program, which provides perishable items to local Feeding America affiliate food banks in the companys five-state operating area. Approximately 3.5 million pounds of usable food was donated to feed the hungry in the programs pilot phase during the past 15 months.
As a grocer, we are concerned about the number of Americans seeking food
assistance in todays economy, and we are very pleased to be a part of the
solution, said Mary Kellmanson, group vice president of marketing for
Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. Our partnership with Feeding America and its network of
food banks is making a meaningful impact in the fight against hunger.
Winn-Dixie first piloted the program in ten stores beginning in January 2009,
and has quietly expanded it throughout its operating area. It will be rolled out
to all of its 515 stores by the end of April. Average donations of usable food
in similar programs across the country range between 250 and 300 pounds each
week per store, including foods like bread, meats, cheeses, bagged fruits and
vegetables, gelatin desserts, and sandwiches. Winn-Dixie officials estimate the
program will result in 6 million to 8 million pounds of usable food making its
way to food banks each year once the program is operating in all of the
companys stores.
This program will help us provide millions of meals to Americans who are living
on the brink of hunger, said Vicki Escarra, president and chief executive
officer of Feeding America. One of our important objectives at Feeding America
is finding new sources of fresh and nutritious food to provide to the 5.7
million people who rely on us for food each week of the year. We are extremely
grateful to Winn-Dixie for providing this invaluable community service hunger
is a real and persistent problem facing many of our nations communities today.
About Winn-Dixie
Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc., is one of the nations largest food retailers. Founded
in 1925, the Company is headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla. The Company
currently operates 515 retail grocery locations, including more than 400
in-store pharmacies, in Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia and Mississippi.
For more information, please visit
www.winn-dixie.com.
Source:
Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc.