DALLAS — Today, the Dean Foods Foundation announced it will extend its commitment to supporting childhood nutrition in honor of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. Through the Meals for Medals program, a medal for Team USA equals more meals for families struggling with hunger. The Dean Foods Foundation will make a variable donation to Feeding America, the nation's largest domestic hunger relief organization, for every bronze, silver and gold medal earned, up to $20,000.
In the United States, one in seven people struggles with hunger, including 15 million children. Through a long-standing partnership, the Dean Foods Foundation and Feeding America work together to address this issue, striving to provide healthy food to families in need.
"As the nation's leading dairy processor, we've been a leadership-level partner of Feeding America and their network of 200 food banks for a number of years," said Gregg Tanner, Dean Foods CEO. "The 2016 Olympic Games give us a fun opportunity to provide additional support as we strengthen lives through the goodness of dairy."
Giving back is nothing new for Dean Foods. The company's roots date back more than a century of strengthening communities where it operates.
"For more than 48 million people in the U.S. who face hunger, putting food on the table is a struggle," said Nancy Curby, Interim SVP Development at Feeding America. "We are thankful for the support of the Dean Foods Foundation for helping the Feeding America network provide more meals for people in need through their new Meals for Medals program."
Last year, Feeding America and its member food banks provided 3.7 billion meals for people facing hunger. Through the Meals for Medals campaign, the Dean Foods Foundation's contribution will provide 220,000 meals.*
*$1 helps provide 11 meals secured by Feeding America on behalf of local member food banks
About Dean Foods
Dean Foods® is a leading food and beverage company and the largest processor and direct-to-store distributor of fluid milk and other dairy and dairy case products in the United States. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, the Dean Foods portfolio includes DairyPure®, the country's first and largest fresh, white milk national brand, and TruMoo®, the leading national flavored milk brand, along with well-known regional dairy brands such as Alta Dena®, Berkeley Farms®, Country Fresh®, Dean's®, Garelick Farms®, Friendly's®, LAND O LAKES® milk and cultured products*, Lehigh Valley Dairy Farms®, Mayfield®, McArthur®, Meadow Gold®, Oak Farms®, PET®**, T.G. Lee®, Tuscan® and more. In all, Dean Foods has more than 50 local and regional dairy brands and private labels. Dean Foods also makes and distributes ice cream, cultured products, juices, teas, and bottled water. Almost 17,000 employees across the country work every day to make Dean Foods the most admired and trusted provider of wholesome, great-tasting dairy products at every occasion. For more information about Dean Foods and its brands, visit www.deanfoods.com.
*The LAND O LAKES brand is owned by Land O'Lakes, Inc. and is used by license.
**The PET trademark is used by license.
About Feeding America
Feeding America is the nationwide network of 200 food banks that leads the fight against hunger in the United States. Together, we provide food to more than 46 million people through 60,000 food pantries and meal programs in communities across America. Feeding America also supports programs that improve food security among the people we serve; educates the public about the problem of hunger; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. Individuals, charities, businesses and government all have a role in ending hunger. Donate. Volunteer. Advocate. Educate. Together we can solve hunger. Visit www.feedingamerica.org.
Source: Dean Foods Company
