LAKELAND, FL - Publix has done so much to support farmers and families across the Southeast, and the retailer recently reached another new milestone. Two and a half months after launching, more than 5 million pounds of produce and 350,000 gallons of milk have been purchased and donated to Feeding America® member food banks throughout the company’s operating area. Over the last five years, Publix Super Markets Charities, which supports nonprofits in Publix’s operating area, has donated more than $17.5 million to Feeding America and its member food banks, including $2 million during the pandemic.
“During these challenging times, we remain committed to working together to find the solutions that positively impact our communities in need. We are honored to continue our support of Feeding America member food banks and to purchase produce and milk from farmers across the Southeast,” said Publix CEO Todd Jones. “As the harvest season moves north, so is our initiative, expanding to support additional farmers and serve as many people as possible.”
The program has also expanded to support farmers in other states as the growing season moves north, as reported in a press release. In addition to purchasing produce from Florida farmers, Publix is now buying produce from farmers in Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina and will add farmers from Tennessee and Virginia in the coming weeks.
Working to address the challenges facing both the farming community and Feeding America member food banks, Publix created and implemented this initiative to support farmers and families being impacted by the pandemic. As the impact of coronavirus closed schools, restaurants, hotels, and other establishments, farmers were forced to discard produce and raw milk due to decreased demand. At the same time, more individuals and families began turning to Feeding America member food banks.
“We have received more than 720,000 pounds of produce and 97,000 gallons of milk from Publix over the last 10 weeks. This has helped us provide food to more than 1 million individuals,” said President and CEO of Feeding South Florida Paco Vélez. “We are grateful to Publix not only for its support of growers, but also Feeding South Florida through this initiative as well as its perishable food and monetary donations all year long.”
Publix has a long history of supporting organizations working toward alleviating hunger. Since 2009, Publix has donated more than $2 billion in food to people in need and has pledged an additional $2 billion in food donations over the next 10 years.
As Publix and other retailers continue to meet milestones and break barriers, AndNowUKnow will be here bringing you the latest.
