Libby's Fruits and Vegetables Offers Families the Chance to Receive a Year's Supply of Canned Vegetables by Supporting Feeding America

MARION, N.Y., Sept. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- For the second consecutive year, Libby's Fruits and Vegetables is celebrating Get Back to the Table month by launching its annual Virtual Canned Food Drive in support of Feeding America and the increased demand on its network of food banks. This online food drive encourages families to rally their communities to help those less fortunate enjoy a meal together. Families who raise $1,500 or more for Feeding America will get their pantries stocked with a year's supply of canned vegetables from Libby's (1). In addition, Libby's Fruits and Vegetables will match up to $40,000 of donations raised by Dec. 13, 2010, to help provide more than half a million meals for needy families.  

This forms part of Libby's long-term commitment to hunger relief. Earlier this year, the company donated a record five million pounds of canned food to Feeding America food banks across the country.  

"Libby's is committed to bringing affordable, simple and delicious meals to the family table. Get Back to the Table month is a celebration of family mealtime and all the benefits dining together brings," commented Bruce Wolcott, vice president of marketing, Seneca Foods Corporation. "Many American families struggle to put food on the table, so we are working with Feeding America to make helping others easier than ever. With just the click of a mouse, anyone can help less fortunate families enjoy a meal together."

Food banks are feeling the pressure of the slow economic recovery. A recent report released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture showed that nearly 17 million children in the U.S. live on the brink of hunger. Overall, more than 16 percent, or 49 million people in the U.S., run short of nutritious food.

"Feeding America is currently providing food to nearly six million Americans each and every week, about 50 percent more than just four years ago," said Vicki Escarra, president and CEO of Feeding America. "We are grateful that Libby's Fruits and Vegetables continues to work with us to find new ways to get more food to more people in need. We could not accomplish the critical work we do without partners like Libby's."

To help Feeding America with this growing problem, families are encouraged to participate in the Virtual Canned Food Drive by visiting GetBacktotheTable.com. There they can create a team profile and engage their communities to help hungry families in their area. For every $5 raised, Feeding America will help provide 35 meals to those in need.

(1)The prize will be awarded by Libby's Vegetables in the form of 200 manufacturers coupons good for any Libby's Vegetables product.

About Libby's Fruits and Vegetables

Libby's Fruits and Vegetables products are packed and distributed by Marion, NY-based Seneca Foods Corporation under trademark license. Seneca Foods is an independent, publicly traded, fully integrated food processing company. Libby's Vegetables is the nation's third largest brand of canned vegetables and has been a staple on American dinner tables since the 1880s. With over 60 different varieties, it offers among the industry's most complete lines of canned vegetables, including Libby's Naturals, with no added sugar or salt, and Libby's Organics. Seneca Foods' heritage harkens back to 1949 when the company introduced bottled grape juice to the market. Shortly thereafter, Seneca Foods was the first to introduce 100% frozen apple juice and held leading market shares in the fruit juice and apple sauce categories for many years. In 2009, Seneca revolutionized the shelf-stable fruit category with its launch of Libby's 6-ounce Jumbo Cups™. For more information on Libby's Fruits and Vegetables, visit SenecaFoods.com. For information on Libby's Get Back to the Table mission, visit GetBacktotheTable.com, follow @LibbysTable on Twitter, or like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/LibbysTable.

About Feeding America

Feeding America provides low-income individuals and families with the fuel to survive and even thrive. As the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief charity, our network members supply food to 37 million Americans each year, including nearly 14 million children and nearly 3 million seniors. Serving the entire United States, more than 200 member food banks support more than 61,000 agencies that address hunger in all of its forms. For more information on how you can fight hunger in your community and across the country, visit www.feedingamerica.org.

SOURCE Libby's Fruits and Vegetables; Feeding America