Bolthouse escalates giving for holiday needs

Bakersfield, Calif.-based Bolthouse Farms has a mission of Plants Powering People that’s motivating the company to increase its support of communities in need across the U.S.

Amid the pandemic, the company has donated close to $3.1 million in fresh carrots, beverages, dressings and money so far in 2020, according to the news release.

With the holidays and the hunger crisis affecting so many more people this year, Bolthouse Farms is rolling out initiatives across the U.S. with local community groups, as well as national organizations such as Feeding America and food banks nationwide.

“Our longterm commitment to fighting hunger has become even more important during the pandemic, and especially during this very different holiday season,” Bill Levisay, president, said in the release. “Our giving efforts this season start in our own backyard and stretch across North America, with a focus on delivering healthy, fresh food to those in need.”

According to the release, these key giving initiatives include:

• Local food bank donations: On Dec. 1, dubbed Giving Tuesday, $10,000 went to food banks in Bakersfield, Calif., Hodgkins, Ill., and Prosser, Wash.;
• Local canned food drives: At each of its locations for Thanksgiving, canned food was collected and went to local organizations including Bakersfield Homeless Center, Beds Plus in Chicago and Boys and Girls club of Prosser;
• Adopt a Family: A partnership with The Bakersfield Homeless Center to adopt a family this holiday season; and
• Navidad En El Barrio: Supporting, in partnership with Allen Lund Co., this organization that provides a Christmas dinner to thousands of the neediest Southern California families.

For more information on the company’s charitable giving efforts or to request a donation, visit bolthouse.com/charitable-giving.