Wonderful Co. to fund $1 million in COVID-19 relief in California

The Wonderful Co., Los Angeles, is donating $1 million to non-profit organizations and schools in California’s Central Valley to offset COVID-19 losses.

The company, whose brands include Halos mandarins and Wonderful Pistachios, established a relief fund to address programs, services and resources that were cut by state or federal agencies, or to fund new critical needs, according to a news release.

Organizations and schools in the Wasco, Delano, Shafter, Firebaugh, Avenal, Sanger, Mendota and Del Rey can receive funds if they demonstrate the effects of those cuts.

“Now more than ever, we are focused on the health and well-being of our employees, both while they are doing the essential work of feeding our nation and when they return home to be with their families,” Andy Anzaldo, The Wonderful Co. chief operating officer of philanthropy, said in the release. “We are doing everything in our power to support the vulnerable communities where our employees live and work.

“Our hope is that our $1 million fund will help to stimulate or reinvigorate many vital programs whose budgets have been cut in the face of this devastating pandemic,” Anzaldo said in the release.

The company is taking applications for grants from $1,000 to $100,000. They are due by Aug. 31 to receive a priority status and participants will be notified by Sept. 14, according to the release.

Information on The Wonderful Co. COVID-19 relief fund, visit https://www.wonderfulcommunitygrants.com/.

Jeremy Tobias, CEO at Community Action Partnership of Kern, said The Wonderful Co. has been critical in helping provide fresh produce to farmers’ markets in Wasco, Delano and other cities.

“We’ve been able to use generous funding from the Wonderful Community Grants program to collect and deliver healthy fruits, vegetables, and staple foods to thousands of low-income individuals and families who are facing the greatest challenges during this pandemic,” Tobias said in the release.

The company’s grants program has donated more than $2 million to non-profits and government programs since it began in 2016, widening its scope this year with the COVID-19 pandemic.

To see more coverage on the industry's response to the crisis, see The Packer's COVID-19 webpage.

Related stories:

Wonderful Pistachios No Shells flavors voted for Best Bite Awards

Wonderful Pistachios’ No Shells flavors named Rising Stars

The Wonderful Co. owners pledge $750 million for sustainability