Arkansas Egg Farmers Donate 54,000 Eggs
By: KARK 4 News
Updated: March 11, 2013
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Local egg farmer, Cal-Maine Foods, Inc., is helping in the fight hunger by donating more than 50,000 eggs to the Arkansas Foodbank.
Many families continue to struggle to put food on their tables, leading more and more to turn to food assistance organizations across the country for help. In fact, more than 48 million Americans live in food insecure homes. In Arkansas more than 500,000 people are hungry.
"We're thrilled to donate much-needed protein to the Arkansas Foodbank just in time for the Easter holiday," stated Alan Andrews, Director of Marketing of Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. "Cal-Maine Foods, Inc., is the largest producer and distributor of fresh shell eggs in the United States, and we take pride in giving back to our local community."
As a food supplier to its 300 member food pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters and other agencies in 33 counties in central and southern Arkansas, the Arkansas Foodbank serves 166,200 different individuals every year - or 23,000 Arkansans per week.
Food banks need food that are rich in protein like fresh eggs. According to the USDA, a single large egg delivers six grams of protein and 13 essential nutrients, including choline, folate, iron and zinc. It concluded in 2011 that eggs are lower in cholesterol and higher in Vitamin D than previously thought.
"The food pantries we serve are really delighted to get this gift of fresh eggs. Being able to provide high-quality protein with fresh eggs is a great blessing and helps the hungry have nutritious food," said Phyllis Haynes, the Foodbank's CEO.
"Year-round our generous farmers donate fresh eggs to their local food assistance organizations," stated Chad Gregory, president and CEO of United Egg Producers. "We come together during the Easter season to give a little extra and make fresh eggs available to food insecure families across the country."
For the sixth consecutive Easter season, the United Egg Producers have organized a nationwide effort to give food insecure families a helping hand. U.S. egg farmers are donating nearly 9 million fresh eggs this year, bringing the total number of fresh eggs donated by egg farmers since 2008 to 69 million. Consumers can also participate in the nationwide effort by going to www.facebook.com/UEPCertified and pledging to buy UEP-certified eggs.
For every pledge received, United Egg Producers will donate one carton of eggs to a local food assistance organization.
Many families continue to struggle to put food on their tables, leading more and more to turn to food assistance organizations across the country for help. In fact, more than 48 million Americans live in food insecure homes. In Arkansas more than 500,000 people are hungry.
"We're thrilled to donate much-needed protein to the Arkansas Foodbank just in time for the Easter holiday," stated Alan Andrews, Director of Marketing of Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. "Cal-Maine Foods, Inc., is the largest producer and distributor of fresh shell eggs in the United States, and we take pride in giving back to our local community."
As a food supplier to its 300 member food pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters and other agencies in 33 counties in central and southern Arkansas, the Arkansas Foodbank serves 166,200 different individuals every year - or 23,000 Arkansans per week.
Food banks need food that are rich in protein like fresh eggs. According to the USDA, a single large egg delivers six grams of protein and 13 essential nutrients, including choline, folate, iron and zinc. It concluded in 2011 that eggs are lower in cholesterol and higher in Vitamin D than previously thought.
"The food pantries we serve are really delighted to get this gift of fresh eggs. Being able to provide high-quality protein with fresh eggs is a great blessing and helps the hungry have nutritious food," said Phyllis Haynes, the Foodbank's CEO.
"Year-round our generous farmers donate fresh eggs to their local food assistance organizations," stated Chad Gregory, president and CEO of United Egg Producers. "We come together during the Easter season to give a little extra and make fresh eggs available to food insecure families across the country."
For the sixth consecutive Easter season, the United Egg Producers have organized a nationwide effort to give food insecure families a helping hand. U.S. egg farmers are donating nearly 9 million fresh eggs this year, bringing the total number of fresh eggs donated by egg farmers since 2008 to 69 million. Consumers can also participate in the nationwide effort by going to www.facebook.com/UEPCertified and pledging to buy UEP-certified eggs.
For every pledge received, United Egg Producers will donate one carton of eggs to a local food assistance organization.
