Tyson Foods donated more than 16 million pounds of protein – the equivalent of 64 million meals – to fight hunger in fiscal 2021. The food donations, valued at $36 million, were given to food banks, pantries and hunger relief organizations in plant communities and across the nation.
Almost 10 million pounds of the food donated by the company in 2021 was distributed through the Community Pantry Program (CPP), an innovative hunger relief initiative started by the company to address the issue of hunger in rural communities that have limited resources to receive, store and distribute protein products. There are currently 42 pantries in the network, which serves 35 communities in 19 states.
“Northwest Arkansas is a thriving community, but many of our neighbors still struggle to put food on the table,” said Eric Vaughan, executive director of Feed the 479. “However, because of our partnership with Tyson Foods through its Community Pantry Program, we’ve been able to reach areas that are currently underserved by meeting families where they are.”
“Through our mobile program, Feed the 479 has been able to serve areas in Bentonville, Springdale, and Fayetteville, expanding the number of food accessibility points in the region,” Vaughan added. “Without the continued support of Tyson Foods and the CPP program, we would not have the ability to reach our neighbors in need with quality and healthy food to help reduce the hunger insecurity in our region.”
In response to the recent tornado damage in Kentucky and Tennessee, the company donated upwards of 1 million meals, the equivalent of approximately 260,000 pounds of protein, to help feed families and relief workers. The Meals That Matter disaster relief trailer was based at the Walmart Supercenter in Mayfield, Kentucky, and the company supported nearly a dozen impacted communities throughout Kentucky and Tennessee with product donations. Volunteers from Tyson Foods facilities across Arkansas, Tennessee and Indiana distributed protein and cooked meals as part of the company’s response.
Tyson Foods’ disaster relief efforts last year also included providing 650,000 meals and multiple truckloads of ice to Louisiana communities affected by Hurricane Ida. The company partnered with several disaster relief organizations including Convoy of Hope, Feed the Children and Salvation Army to provide relief for storm victims and first responders.
During fiscal 2021, Tyson Foods also awarded $5 million to nonprofit organizations in Tyson plant communities. The funds were designated to help support childcare, health care, hunger relief and housing initiatives.
About Tyson Foods, Inc.
Tyson Foods, Inc. is one of the world’s largest food companies and a recognized leader in protein. Founded in 1935 by John W. Tyson and grown under three generations of family leadership, the company has a broad portfolio of products and brands like Tyson, Jimmy Dea, Hillshire Farm, Ball Park, Wright, Aidells, ibp and State Fair. Tyson Foods innovates continually to make protein more sustainable, tailor food for everywhere it’s available and raise the world’s expectations for how much good food can do. Headquartered in Springdale, Arkansas, the company had approximately 137,000 team members as of October 2, 2021. Through its Core Values, Tyson Foods strives to operate with integrity, create value for its shareholders, customers, communities and team members and serve as a steward of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it.
