ATLANTA, GA - Continuing to inspire and encourage the next generation of fresh produce industry members, Kroger’s Atlanta Division teamed up with G&R Farms throughout May and June to raise money for Future Farmers of America (FFA) students in Georgia. Together, the dynamic team used their reach and prowess to raise $9,000 for scholarship and grant funds through the Growing America’s Farmers (GAF) promotional program.
“Kroger’s partnership with Growing America’s Farmers directly aligns with the mission of Kroger’s Zero Hunger | Zero Waste initiative, our bold social impact plan to create communities free of hunger and waste in the places we call home. Growing America’s Farmers enables Kroger to support regional agriculture while providing opportunities for FFA students to continue their agricultural studies and attain their goals,” Felix B. Turner, Corporate Affairs Manager for Kroger's Atlanta Division, remarked. “These students are the future farmers, entrepreneurs, and creative thinkers who will help improve food security and end food waste. We would like to thank Walt Dasher and G&R Farms for their dedication and commitment to funding FFA scholarships by creating innovative partnerships and opportunities.”
The Growing America’s Farmers program was created by Walt Dasher, third-generation family farmer and Vice President of G&R Farms. According to a press release, a portion of sales of designated products are donated to the National FFA Foundation through the program. This foundation delegates those funds to local FFA programs of the retailer’s choice.
Over the last five years, the GAF program has raised over $230,000 for FFA member scholarships throughout the U.S. This is Kroger’s fifth year of supporting the program, and alone the retailer has raised more than $36,000 for students in the state of Georgia.
“As a third-generation family farm, this is about more than marketing and promotions, this is a personal mission that hits at the heart of who I am and what I stand for,” said Dasher. “The current American farmer’s average age is 58 years old, and they are part of multi-generation family farms that are facing more and more pressure. We need to attract, support, and train young agriculture leaders who will become the torchbearers and next generation of producers. The FFA is truly one of our greatest resources and partners in doing this well.”
The mission of the GAF program is now more important than ever as the supply chain needs to be engaged and support future ag leaders who will help feed the growing population. Estimates state that the United States will need 70 percent more food by 2050, according to the release, and FFA students supported by the program might be the ones to help make this possible.
FFA membership is at a record high with over 760,000 members in 8,739 chapters across all 50 states, including chapters in 24 of the 25 largest U.S. cities and setting records in member diversity. In Georgia, FFA has nearly 400 FFA chapters and more than 71,000 FFA members participating in agriculture, food, and natural resources programming.
Cheers to G&R Farms and Kroger for their success in driving this important program forward!
