Salisbury, Md., Sept. 01, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SALISBURY, Md (Friday, Sept. 1, 2017) — Perdue has committed a minimum of one million pounds of protein to support relief efforts in Houston and surrounding communities in southeastern Texas following historic flooding from Hurricane Harvey.
Donated protein will be directed to local Feeding America-affiliated food banks and the Houston Independent School District.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those people affected by this developing tragedy,” said Steve Evans, president of Perdue Foods. “The images of suffering are heartbreaking and we’re compelled to do our part to help. We hope that our donation will provide some level of comfort to those impacted. We know the recovery process will be long and difficult for many, and Perdue will continue to look for ways to assist.”
As part of Perdue’s ongoing commitment to Feeding America, approximately half of the protein donation will be distributed to food banks in the Houston area, and Victoria and San Antonio, Texas. Rescue efforts are also under way for pets and animals, and Perdue has donated nearly 68,000 pounds of its Spot Farms® brand dehydrated dog food to Feeding America.
“As families in Houston and other areas in Texas that were devastated by Hurricane Harvey struggle to reclaim their communities, Feeding America is grateful to partners like Perdue that respond quickly with valuable product,” said Bill Thomas, chief supply chain officer at Feeding America. “Perdue’s contribution of fresh and frozen protein will provide nourishment through feeding sites to Texans who have been forced to evacuate as well as help fill meal boxes for those in their homes but recovering from the damage. Their donation of pet food recognizes the importance of feeding the whole family.”
In addition, the Houston Independent School District will receive 500,000 pounds of protein to assist feed victims and first responders through a network of nine feeding center in surrounding communities.
As HISD Nutrition Officer Betti Wiggins explains, “So many people – our students and their families, employees, and the community at-large – have lost so much. They’re worried about basic things, like shelter and how to start the rebuilding process. The donation from Perdue Farms will help us to feed them good, nutritious food and that will be one less thing for them to worry about.”
About Perdue Farms
We’re a third-generation, family owned, U.S. food and agriculture company. Through our belief in responsible food and agriculture, we are empowering consumers, customers and farmers through trusted choices in products and services.
We focus on continuously improving everything we do, constantly learning, and sharing those insights across different production methods. That innovative approach is driving change throughout the company and onto farms. This continuous advancement is leading us toward our vision of becoming the most trusted name in food and agricultural products.
The PERDUE® brand is the number-one brand of fresh chicken in the U.S., and Perdue AgriBusiness is an international agricultural products and services company. As we approach our 100th anniversary in 2020, our path forward is about getting better, not just bigger. We never use drugs for growth promotion in raising poultry and livestock, and we are actively advancing our animal welfare programs. Our brands are leaders in no-antibiotics-ever chicken, turkey and pork, and in USDA-certified organic chicken. We’ve increased our support for the family farm by creating new markets, including specialty crops. Through agricultural services, we give farmers more options for the acre, including conversion to organic production and products and services that increase the sustainability of conventional agriculture. Learn more at www.perduefarms.com.
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