WESTPORT, Conn. - (Business Wire) Newman’s Own, Inc. announced today the successful distribution of more than 100,000 Newman’s Own Thin & Crispy Crust frozen pizzas to the Feeding America network of food banks. The pizzas will feed more than 300,000 food bank clients. The pizza donation was possible as a result of the strong alliance between Newman’s Own, Inc. and Feeding America. Newman’s Own, Inc. and Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger relief agency, have collaborated since 2000 on the Partnership for Hunger Relief, a program that has to date donated eighty-nine refrigerated Ford trucks to forty-two states and delivered the equivalent of more than ninety-eight million meals. “This donation reflects our ongoing commitment to fighting hunger. In the hands of Feeding America, we know the pizza contribution will reach people who are in the greatest need,” according to Mike Havard, vice president, marketing for Newman’s Own, Inc.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 2009 report of food insecurity released last week indicated the number of individuals who were food insecure in 2008 increased 36% over 2007; the data for children reflected a 35% increase. This is the largest increase in food insecurity ever reported by the USDA. A reported 49.1 million Americans, including one in five children, lived in households considered to be food insecure, according to the study.
Feeding America’s Hunger in America 2006 study reported that 41.5% of their clients have had to choose between paying for food and paying for utilities. Additionally, a recent Feeding America research study indicated that some food banks are reporting increases of more than 50% in requests for emergency food assistance over a year prior.
“We are grateful to Newman’s Own for this significant contribution to us, and for their ongoing long-term support of our organization,” according to Vicki Escarra, president and CEO of Feeding America.”
Newman’s Own Thin & Crispy Crust frozen pizza is available in five varieties in more than 30% of the United States and will be available nationally in 2010.
About Newman’s Own, Inc.
Newman’s Own ®, Inc. ─ founded by Paul Newman and his buddy A. E. Hotchner in 1982 ─ is a successful and growing premium food business. Newman’s Own offers more than 100 varieties of delicious all-natural food and beverage products, which include salad dressings, pasta sauces, salsa, popcorn, lemonade, and thin & crispy frozen pizza. Based in Westport, CT, the charitable mission of Newman’s Own®, Inc. was expressed by Paul in the Company motto: “Shameless exploitation in pursuit of the Common Good.” Newman’s Own Foundation continues Paul Newman’s commitment to donate all profits to charity. More than $280 million has been given to thousands of charities since 1982.
Visit www.newmansown.com for the nearest retailer/s that carry Newman’s Own products and for recipe suggestions using Newman’s Own®, Inc. products.
Learn more about our mission at www.newmansownfoundation.org.
About Feeding America
Feeding America provides individuals and families facing hunger with the fuel to survive and even thrive. As the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief charity, our network members supply food to more than 25 million Americans each year, including 9 million children and 3 million seniors. Serving the entire United States, more than 200 member food banks operate 63,000 agencies that address hunger through emergency food assistance and programs. For more information on how you can fight hunger in your community and across the country, visit www.feedingamerica.org.
KDN Communications
Kate Nolan Clemens, 860-657-0600
kclemens@snet.net
