Tyson Foods commits $2.5 Million to fight hunger 

Tyson Foods has pledged $2.5 million to address food insecurity by partnering with Feeding America member food banks. The gift comes in addition to 2.5 million pounds of meat, which equates to roughly 10 million meals, Tyson said it will donate to help alleviate hunger.

The Springdale-based meat giant said $1 million of its donation will support Equitable Food Access grants which aim to improve access to nutritious food among people experiencing high rates of food insecurity. The remainder of Tyson’s donation will go toward Feeding America and member food banks’ efforts to expand capacity to repack bulk or private label protein products into family size quantities, thus increasing the types of protein that can easily be donated and distributed.

“While hunger exists in every county across the country, it impacts each community in vastly different ways, requiring thoughtful and strategic solutions,” said Erika Thiem, chief supply chain officer, Feeding America. “One in eight people, including one in six children, in America are food insecure. As food banks continue to face increasing demand, we’re thankful for partners like Tyson, whose ongoing food and fund donations are supporting our network’s efforts to increase access to protein, a high-need item, and ensure equitable access to food for communities facing hunger.”

Tyson reports since 2006, the company has donated almost $3.5 million to Feeding America and $223 million of protein to member food banks such as the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank in Lowell. Tim Grailer, senior director at Tyson Foods, said the partnership with Feeding America continues to evolve with expanded capacity to help rural communities and those of color and others with higher levels of need.

“With inflation putting pressures on the charitable food system, both increasing their costs and the need for their services, there has never been a more important time to support these efforts,” Grailer said.