Minneapolis-based Cargill has announced a $4.9 million donation to the Feeding America network of food banks.
A key component of Cargill’s latest donation will include $1.9 million in support of increasing the supply of protein throughout the charitable food system. Protein, including chicken, beef, pork and even some plant-based foods, are the most requested items for people facing hunger.
Yet many local food banks lack proper infrastructure to refrigerate and repackage donated bulk proteins in a safe way, reducing their ability to supply protein to the communities they serve. The result of this far-reaching demand paired with a lack of supply is a substantial gap in the amount of protein being distributed versus what is needed.
One way to help combat this “protein gap” is through the creation and/or optimization of protein pack rooms that provide proper refrigeration and storage for proteins, in addition to equipment allowing food bank workers and volunteers to safely repackage bulk proteins into individual portions for recipients. A pack room has the potential to prepare 300,000 pounds of bulk protein per year, which helps local food banks distribute additional protein to people facing hunger.
“More than 38 million people in America face hunger. As food and transportation costs continue to rise across the country, protein remains a high-need food item and food banks are feeling that demand,” said Erika Thiem, Feeding America’s chief supply chain officer.
“Feeding America is grateful for the generous contribution from Cargill and for NAMI’s support through their Protein PACT as we strive to close the protein gap and provide neighbors with the nutrition needed to thrive now and into the future.”
The funding will be used to support the sustainment of protein pack rooms at local food banks and will also enable a set of innovative and complementary projects that aim to reduce the protein gap for vulnerable communities across the country.
“Cargill has proudly supported Feeding America for more than three decades, and their efforts to combat hunger across our nation.” said Tom Windish, president of Cargill’s beef and turkey business in North America. “We’re excited to work together with industry partners like NAMI to ensure that the Feeding America network of food banks have access to more protein, a critical source of nutrition for the nation’s most food insecure.”
The remainder of Cargill’s latest $4.9 million donation will go toward grants for food banks within Cargill markets, with a focus on rural communities and/or communities of color with high food insecurity rates. The donation will also support continued investment in Cargill’s legacy food safety program and funding for disaster relief programs.
For more information, visit cargill.com.
