Avocados from Peru, The Giant Co. donate 50,000 avocados
With National Avocado Day fast approaching, Avocados from Peru (AFP) is celebrating by giving back to local communities and unveiling what it calls, the “ultimate demo machine.”
To celebrate National Avocado Day on July 31, AFP has kicked off its week of festivities in Philadelphia. For the second year in a row, AFP teamed up with The Giant Co. of Carlisle, Pa., to donate 50,000 avocados to Philabundance, the city’s largest food bank and an affiliate organization of Feeding America.
The donation was announced at the Second Annual Top Guac Championship on July 27. Hosted by AFP, Giant and Philabundance, the event invites amateur chefs to compete to make the best guacamole in Philadelphia.
Held at a Philabundance hunger relief center in South Philadelphia, the event was attended by leaders in the city’s food scene and representatives from AFP, Giant, Philabundance and Feeding America, according to a release.
“Avocados hold a special place in our hearts and our culture, so celebrating them for National Avocado Day is easy. Moreover, giving back to communities in need makes the celebration even more special,” said Xavier Equihua, president of the Peruvian Avocado Commission. “We are proud to support such impactful philanthropies as Philabundance and Feeding America, and what better way to do that than through avocados and bringing the community together.”
The event was also an opportunity for Avocados From Peru to debut its new AFP Food Truck demo machine, in partnership with the Peruvian Brothers. The food truck was used as a backdrop for a Giant trailer to haul the 50,000 avocados donated to charity.
“The Giant Company is committed to eliminating hunger in the communities we serve,” Emine Boz, community impact coordinator at The Giant Company, said in a release. “Together with Avocados from Peru and Philabundance, we’re able to do just that and make a difference in the lives of our neighbors facing food insecurity.”
The area's largest hunger relief organization, Philabundance is on a mission to drive hunger from its communities and end hunger forever through collaborations with corporations, foundations, individuals and the government, says the Philabundance website.
“We are so grateful that Avocados from Peru chose to support our organization and the important work we do to impact our community. The avocados will go a long way in supporting and feeding those in need,” Philabundance CEO Loree D. Jones said. “These contributions will help many in need throughout the communities we serve.”
AFP plans to continue the National Avocado Day celebrations. It was invited by FOX 5 D.C. to participate in its Zip Trips programming — a weekly series that highlights spots to visit around the D.C. region.
On July 29, AFP will be live at the Port City Brewing Company in Alexandria, Va. (3950 Wheeler Avenue) until 11:00 a.m. The series will highlight the AFP Food Truck as the Peruvian Brothers dish out avocado toast to members of the public. In addition to the food truck, the event will feature the AVO Tesla, the prize of the AFP, Lidl Food Markets Summer Sweepstakes Giveaway.
“It’s an honor to join and work alongside Avocados from Peru on our signature food truck to celebrate our home country’s No. 1 superfood export, the avocado,” said Giuseppe and Mario Lanzone, known as the Peruvian Brothers. “It has always been our goal to bring the taste of Peru to our new home and Avocados from Peru is helping us accomplish just that.”
The Peruvian Avocado Commission (PAC) is headquartered in Washington, D.C. It was established in 2010 to increase consumption and demand for avocados from Peru through advertising, retail promotion and public relations. Avocados from Peru will be available in the U.S. from June through September. For more information, visit www.avocadosfromperu.com.
