NatureSweet estimates $8M worth of produce donated to food banks in 2022

The San Antonio-based company said the food gifts have provided 6.25 million meals to families in need throughout North America.

A person is holding a cardboard box full of small tomatoes, facing forward.
A person is holding a cardboard box full of small tomatoes, facing forward.
(Photo: Courtesy of NatureSweet)

NatureSweet says it has donated 8 million pounds of produce to food banks throughout North America in 2022.

The estimated $8 million worth of produce provided to food banks in the U.S. and Mexico has included tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers, according to a news release. The company said the donations have provided 6.25 million meals to families in need.

“During a challenging year of record inflation that has resulted in higher food costs, we hope our produce donations to food banks will provide nourishment to families and help ease the financial burden many are experiencing this year,” Lori Castillo, NatureSweet vice president of marketing, said in the release.

About 800,000 pounds of the produce donated this year has helped feed families in San Antonio, where NatureSweet is headquartered, the company said. The San Antonio Food Bank recently honored NatureSweet with a Hunger Fighter of the Year award for the gift of food in 2022, according to the release.

“We’re proud to support food banks locally, and across the continent,” Castillo said in the release. “This is a fairly new initiative for us and after witnessing the positive impact it has on so many people, we plan to continue donating NatureSweet produce to communities in need.”

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