In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month and Military Appreciation Month, Bob Evans Farms, Inc., a leading manufacturer of farm-fresh refrigerated dinner sides and breakfast products announced a new partnership with the United Service Organizations (USO) to support the mental well-being of military members. The partnership builds on the company’s commitment to giving back to those who serve through its Our Farm Salutes program.
As part of this year’s effort, Bob Evans Farms is working with celebrity chef and U.S. Army veteran Andre Rush to promote mental health awareness and the benefits of bringing people together through food. Chef Rush is known for his work advocating for military communities and mental health services, including the 2,222 daily push-up regimen he completes in honor of the 22 veterans lost to suicide each day.
"At Bob Evans Farms, we have a long history of supporting military service members, veterans and their families,” said Mark Delahanty, Bob Evans Farms president and CEO and U.S. Navy veteran. “Service can take a serious mental toll on people. Our military heroes deserve robust mental health support, and we’re proud to contribute a small piece to that by partnering with the USO.”
“Frequent moves to unfamiliar environments, separation from home and loved ones and more – service members and their loved ones face unique stressors. Supporting their mental well-being through every step of their military journey is paramount to keeping them strong,” said USO Chief Operating Officer and retired Rear Adm. Alan Reyes. “The USO is grateful to Bob Evans Farms for their partnership and commitment to the women and men who serve and their families around the world.”
Bob Evans Farms’ partnership with the USO includes a $125,000 donation and sponsorship of the USO Chef’s Table Experience, which occurred on May 3, at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, where Chef Rush joined to share his story of resilience. The quarterly event brings together a small group of active-duty service members and their guests for a one-of-a-kind world-class six-course dinner prepared by top military chefs from each branch of the armed forces.
“I’ve dedicated my life to giving back and supporting the mental health and wellness of our service members,” said Chef Rush. “Food has helped me and saved my life. It brings us together and connects us to family and friends like nothing else. Having the opportunity to share my passions and help others through efforts like this with the USO and Bob Evans Farms is why I do what I do.”
As part of the USO partnership, through September select packages of Bob Evans dinner sides and breakfast products and Owens Sausage products will proudly turn purple to symbolize all branches of the military and feature the Our Farm Salutes and USO logos to raise awareness of the need for services that support their mental well-being.
About Bob Evans Farms, Inc.
For 75 years, Bob Evans Farms has delivered delicious, quick-to-table, farm-inspired food that makes mealtime a little bit easier and a lot more delicious. We’re proud to be the No. 1-selling refrigerated dinner sides, including many varieties of wholesome, feel-good favorites such as mashed potatoes and macaroni and cheese, sold in grocery stores across the country. We’re also a leading producer and distributor of sausage and bacon products, egg products including liquid eggs, and frozen handheld breakfast items. In addition to our flagship Bob Evans brand, our product portfolio includes Simply Potatoes, Egg Beaters and Owens Sausage. Bob Evans Farms is based in Columbus, Ohio, and is owned by Post Holdings, Inc., a consumer-packaged goods holding company.
