LIVINGSTON, Calif. –Foster Farms is partnering with food banks to help provide more than two million meals to families impacted by the economic consequences of COVID-19. In the coming days, the family-owned company will actively contribute to hunger relief efforts delivering much needed protein to food banks and community organizations on the West Coast, and in Louisiana and Alabama.
“COVID-19 has touched the very fabric of American life,” said Foster Farms’ VP of Communications Ira Brill. “As a company, we have always felt a responsibility to support to our communities in times of adversity. Food banks are on front lines of ensuring that hunger is not an added result of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
According to Jaclyn Pack, Food Acquisitions Manager for the Central California Food Bank in Fresno, California, COVID-19 has resulted in a 50 percent increase in local need. “The effect of COVID-19 on our communities has been devastating. We are grateful to Foster Farms for its generous donation and continued support in bringing protein to Central Valley families that find themselves in dire circumstances,” said Pack. Blake Young, CEO of Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services noted that families who have never sought help combined with pre-existing need is emptying food bank shelves. “Food banks are struggling to source food donations, dollars and volunteers. Foster Farms is helping us close the gap.”
Foster Farms maintains production facilities in California, Oregon, Washington, Louisiana and Alabama, and will be leveraging its resources to expedite relief efforts. The donations are a continuation of a decade-long commitment to fighting hunger and responding to community need in time of crisis.
Foster Farms encourages others to join in its efforts by donating to their local food bank. Among the food banks and hunger relief organizations receiving donations are:
Second Harvest Food Bank
Manteca, Calif.
SF-Marin Food Bank
San Francisco
Northwest Harvest
Seattle
Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
Los Angeles
Merced County Food Bank
Merced
Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services
Sacramento, Calif.
Oregon Food Bank
Portland, Ore.
Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank
San Diego
Central California Food Bank
Fresno
Arrangements for delivery to Louisiana and Alabama food banks are pending.
About Foster Farms
Since 1939, West Coast families have depended on Foster Farms for premium quality chicken and turkey products. Family-owned and operated, the company continues its legacy of excellence and commitment to quality established by its founders, Max and Verda Foster. Foster Farms specializes in fresh, all-natural chicken and turkey products free of preservatives, additives or injected sodium enhancers. Based in California’s Central Valley, with ranches in the Pacific Northwest, the company’s fresh chicken and turkey are produced in or near each region served. Foster Farms also produces delicious pre-marinated, ready-to-cook and fully cooked products that meet the quality and convenience needs of today’s home cooks, retailers, warehouse clubs and foodservice customers. The company’s commitment to excellence, honesty, quality, service and people is a source of great pride, and, a longtime family tradition.
Food safety is Foster Farms’ highest priority and the company would like to remind consumers to always follow safe handling, preparation and storage guidelines for the preparation of fresh poultry products. All fresh poultry products should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit as measured by a meat thermometer to ensure safety. Visit www.fosterfarms.com to learn more.
