North American greenhouse operator Cox Farms, a Cox Enterprises company, says it has forged a partnership with Feeding America to address food insecurity.
The collaboration aims to bring fresh, healthy produce to food banks and communities across the U.S. and Canada, helping to increase access to fresh food and promote better nutrition for millions of families, according to a news release.
“Cox Farms is committed to making a difference in the communities we serve, and our partnership with Feeding America reflects our mission to provide access to fresh, healthy food for people facing hunger,” said Steven Bradley, president of Cox Farms. “By leveraging our cutting-edge greenhouse technology and sustainable practices, we’re addressing food insecurity while donating nutritious produce like lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, strawberries and peppers throughout the year. Together, we’re helping to nourish families and ensure they can lead healthier lives.”
This collaboration aligns the strengths of both organizations to tackle hunger at scale, the release said.
Feeding America says it aims to end hunger by connecting people to food and addressing its root causes. Through its nationwide network of more than 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs, Feeding America currently helps provide 5.9 billion meals each year to people facing hunger.
In addition, the Feeding America network plays a crucial role in safely distributing 4 billion pounds of excess food to meal programs, food banks and pantries, reducing the waste that would otherwise end up in landfills.
“The movement to end hunger takes shared vision and dedicated partnerships,” said Erika Thiem, Feeding America’s chief supply chain officer. “Together with Cox Farms, we are providing more access to nutritious food, including fresh produce all year-round, to people facing hunger in communities across the country.”
Cox Farms’ portfolio includes BrightFarms and Mucci Farms; over 700 acres of greenhouses; and a workforce of more than 2,500 employees that harvests more than 450 million pounds of fresh produce annually.
The company says it will contribute millions of pounds of fresh produce to the Feeding America network of local food banks — a partnership that aims to tackle critical challenges such as food insecurity and the urgent need for improved daily nutrition in underserved communities.
Cox Enterprises says its broader mission is to build a better world for future generations as well as to empower 34 million people to lead more prosperous lives by 2034 through its 34by34 Initiative.
By donating millions of pounds of fresh, nutritious food, Cox Farms says it helps to address health and well-being challenges, improve lives and foster a more prosperous and equitable society.
