Darden Restaurants Celebrates Five Years of Food Truck Donations to Feeding America® Food Banks, Honoring a Shared Mission to End Hunger

Since January 2021, 54 Trucks Have Been Provided to 54 Food Banks Across 23 States

ORLANDO, Fla., Sept. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- For the fifth year, Darden Restaurants and Feeding America^® are putting more wheels on the road to help end hunger. With a $2 million grant from the Darden Restaurants, Inc. Foundation and support from Penske Truck Leasing, nine additional Feeding America member food banks will receive 26-foot refrigerated trucks. Each truck — capable of carrying up to 12,000 pounds — will bolster food distribution and mobile pantry programs in communities facing the greatest need.

Food banks receiving a truck this year include:

• America's Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia, Inc. (Savannah, Ga.)
• Central Texas Food Bank (Austin, Texas)
• Food Bank of Northwest Indiana (Merrillville, Ind.)
• Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank (Baton Rouge, La.)
• Heart of Alabama Food Bank (Montgomery, Ala.)
• Maryland Food Bank (Baltimore, Md.)
• River Valley Regional Food Bank (Ft. Smith, Ark.)
• Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina (Charlotte, N.C.)
• Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee (Nashville, Tenn.)

"Five years into this effort, we've seen how a single truck can transform the way a food bank serves its community," said Rick Cardenas, President and CEO of Darden Restaurants. "We're grateful to continue this work with Feeding America and Penske Truck Leasing, knowing that each mile traveled helps in the fight against hunger."

The Need
As food insecurity rises, nearly 65% of food banks across the U.S. reported serving more people in October 2024 than the year before. This growing demand adds to an already persistent challenge: in 2023, 13.5% of households — about 47 million people — experienced food insecurity. The situation is even more acute for families with young children, with over one in three adults with children under 5 reporting food insecurity in 2024. Reliable refrigerated transportation is critical, allowing food banks to meet rising need and prevent perishable food from going to waste.

"We can end hunger when we all work together. This donation of refrigerated trucks allows food banks to safely and swiftly transport food and resources to communities who need it most," said Linda Nageotte, President and Chief Operating Officer at Feeding America. "We are grateful for the dedicated and effective support of Darden Restaurant Foundation and Penske Truck Leasing for their shared commitment to our mission."

Responding to the Need
For 15 years, Darden and the Darden Restaurants, Inc. Foundation have partnered with Feeding America to reduce food insecurity nationwide. Since 2021, 54 refrigerated trucks have been delivered to 54 food banks in 23 states, enabling them to transport fresh and perishable foods more efficiently and reach families experiencing food insecurity.

In addition, Darden's Harvest program continues to redirect surplus food from restaurants to local nonprofits, turning potential waste into nourishment. Over the years, Darden's contributions have amounted to 148 million pounds of food, ensuring that nutritious food reaches the tables of families across the country while reducing food waste.

About Darden Restaurants and the Darden Restaurants, Inc. Foundation
Darden's family of restaurants features some of the most recognizable and successful brands in full-service dining — Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Yard House, Ruth's Chris Steak House, Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen, The Capital Grille, Chuy's, Seasons 52, Eddie V's and Bahama Breeze. For more information, visit www.darden.com.

The Darden Restaurants, Inc. Foundation works to bring to life our spirit of service through its philanthropic support of charitable organizations across the country. Since 1995, the Darden Restaurants, Inc. Foundation has awarded more than $110 million in grants to non-profit organizations such as Feeding America, National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) and American Red Cross.

About Feeding America
Feeding America is committed to an America where no one is hungry. We support tens of millions of people who experience food insecurity to get the food and resources they say they need to thrive as part of a nationwide network of food banks, statewide food bank associations, food pantries and meal programs. We also invest in innovative solutions to increase equitable access to nutritious food, advocate for legislation that improves food security and work to address factors that impact food security, such as health, cost of living and employment. 

We partner with people experiencing food insecurity, policymakers, organizations, and supporters, united with them in a movement to end hunger. Visit FeedingAmerica.org to learn more.

Media Contact:
Kiara Buckner
Darden Restaurants
(407) 245-5156 | [email protected]

SOURCE Darden Restaurants, Inc.