Through Pro*Act’s network of distributors, a new initiative called Feeding Our Frontlines is delivering more than $1 million in fresh produce to health care workers across the country.
To oversee donations and information about the project, Pro*Act established Produce Partners.
So far, more than 35,000 boxes containing up to 15 pounds, enough fresh produce for a family for a week have, been distributed.
Driscoll’s, which earlier announced a $4 million donation campaign for the pandemic, is committing to more than $350,000 in berry donations to the Feeding Our Frontlines campaign.
“In a time when our communities are coming together to make sacrifices to protect the vulnerable, we are proud to stand with partners committed to providing for the brave,” Brian Kane, Pro*Act chief operating officer, said in the release. “Our distributors, suppliers and employees are thankful for this tangible way to support healthcare employees at the end of long, stressful shift.”
Other produce companies that have participated in the Feeding Our Frontlines include Sunkist Growers, Taylor Farms, Dole Food Co., Mission Produce, Rainier Fruit, Wada Farms, Mann Packing Co. and Grimmway Farms, according to the release.
“We are all working together to ensure communities are supported and we’d like to recognize the extraordinary health care efforts by giving back where we can,” J. Miles Reiter, chairman and CEO of Driscoll’s, said in the release.
The Produce Partner boxes are being delivered in New York, Baltimore, Los Angeles, Boston, Atlanta, New Orleans, St. Louis, Detroit and Cleveland.
Donations have been given to employees at Memorial Sloan Kettering, New York City; New York Presbyterian, Johns Hopkins, Baltimore; Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; and facilities in 16 other states, according to the release.
For more information on other charitable programs started by produce companies to respond to the pandemic, see The Packer’s COVID-19 webpage.
Related stories:
