Tyson Foods Addresses Growing Hunger in Washington Area

Company donates 29,000 pounds of protein to Capital Area Food Bank

WASHINGTON, March 25, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Tyson Foods today donated 29,000 pounds of boneless chicken to the Capital Area Food Bank as part of an effort to feed people in need and promote public awareness of hunger in America.

"There are millions of hard-working adults, children and seniors who simply cannot make ends meet and are faced with the realities of hunger and malnourishment," said John Tyson, chairman of Tyson Foods. "We are trying to make a difference in their lives by providing nutrient-rich protein and by increasing understanding of hunger in our country."

Meat and poultry are nutrient-dense foods and, according to health experts, can be especially helpful to people who need more protein including growing children, pregnant women, the elderly, and anyone undergoing severe stress disease or disability. According to food banks nationwide, meat is the most requested and least available food.

Last year, the Capital Area Food Bank distributed 27 million pounds of food, including 10.8 million pounds of fresh produce, through more than 700 partner agencies located in Prince George's and Montgomery counties, Maryland; Washington, DC; and Northern Virginia. More than 478,000 people were served over 2.1 million meals.

Lynn Brantley, President and CEO of the Capital Area Food Bank, said, "Today, as food prices are spiking, more than 600,000 Washington metro area residents, including 200,000 children, are facing hunger and malnutrition. On behalf of those we serve, we thank Tyson Foods for its generous donation."

Tyson Foods has been an active participant in the fight against hunger for a decade, donating more than 78 million pounds of protein, or the equivalent of 300 million meals. The company partners with Share Our Strength, Lift Up America, Feeding America, the League of United Latin American Citizens to raise awareness and help feed the hungry across the nation.

Tyson Foods' year-long "KNOW Hunger" campaign is focused on helping more people understand and join the effort to eliminate hunger in America. It includes the recent release of a study on public perceptions of hunger, as well as a commitment to donate one million pounds of protein to 37 food banks in 23 U.S. markets during the month of March.

Tyson and the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) recently commissioned a study on public perceptions of hunger. Among other things, it found that most surveyed believe hunger is a much smaller problem in their own community than it is in the state or the nation overall. Yet, 24 percent of those surveyed worry they will have trouble putting food on the table this year. Survey details are available by clicking on www.tysonhungerrelief.com.  

To hear the testimony of three prominent Americans who experienced hunger as children, go to www.tysonfoods.com/Media-Room.aspx and click on "three perspectives." Information about how to get involved in the fight against hunger is available at www.tysonhungerrelief.com.

About the Capital Area Food Bank

The Capital Area Food Bank, a member of Feeding America, was founded in 1980 and takes a comprehensive approach to addressing hunger by increasing access to nutritious food, initiating change through skill-building and advocacy, and creating sustainability with outreach and training for those at risk of hunger. The CAFB is the metro area's largest public, nonprofit food and nutrition education resource. For more information about hunger and nutrition issues, log on to www.CapitalAreaFoodBank.org.  

About Tyson Foods

Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN), founded in 1935 with headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas, is one of the world's largest processors and marketers of chicken, beef and pork, the second-largest food production company in the Fortune 500 and a member of the S&P 500. The company produces a wide variety of protein-based and prepared food products and is the recognized market leader in the retail and foodservice markets it serves. Tyson provides products and services to customers throughout the United States and more than 90 countries. The company has approximately 115,000 Team Members employed at more than 400 facilities and offices in the United States and around the world. Through its Core Values, Code of Conduct and Team Member Bill of Rights, Tyson strives to operate with integrity and trust and is committed to creating value for its shareholders, customers and Team Members. The company also strives to be faith-friendly, provide a safe work environment and serve as stewards of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it.

Contacts:
Page Crosland, Capital Area Food Bank, 202-526-5344 ext. 316 or [email protected]

Jeffrey Wood, Tyson Foods, 479-290-3486 or [email protected]

SOURCE Capital Area Food Bank