Retailer Giant Food, in partnership with Avocados from Peru, is donating a trailer load of avocados to Feeding America food banks on National Avocado Day, July 31.
More than 40,000 pounds of avocados will go to Capital Area Food Bank in Washington, D.C., and the Maryland Food Bank in Baltimore. Depending on the size of the avocados, it’s more than 120,000 pieces of fruit, according to a news release.
“The impact of COVID-19 has been swift and unprecedented,” Xavier Equihua, president and CEO of Avocados from Peru, said in the release. “It is therefore a privilege for Avocados from Peru to partner with Giant Food to help end hunger during the unparalleled crisis affecting our local communities.”
A food truck from Guiseppe and Mario Lanzone, aka the Peruvian Brothers, will be at the Capital Area Food Bank to distribute boxed meals to food bank staff.
“The current need for emergency food is unlike anything we’ve experienced in our forty-year history,” Radha Muthiah, president and CEO of the Capital Area Food Bank, said in the release. “With the dramatic decline in retail donations that’s occurred as a result of the pandemic, we’re so thankful to be receiving a truckload of healthy, easy-to-distribute food that’s also culturally relevant for many of the people we serve.”
Giant Food shoppers will have free access to Avocados from Peru e-cookbook, “Avocados in Bloom,” which has more than 50 recipes.
Peruvian avocados will be available at Giant Food stores through September, with displays that include ripening tips, according to the release.
“We are excited to be able to provide this superfood as part of our ongoing efforts to make sure that all families in our community have access to healthy food options,” Lisa Coleman, director of healthy living at Giant Food, said about the donations in the release.
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