Farmers Ending Hunger on Track to Donate Two Million Pounds of Food; More Help Critically Needed

Farmers Ending Hunger is an organization dedicated to generating more high quality food for the Oregon Food Bank Network through a partnership of farmers, food processors and the public.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Farmers Ending Hunger, an organization of growers, ranchers and committed people dedicated to ending hunger in Oregon, announces it is on track to donate two million pounds of food to the Oregon Food Bank in 2009 thanks to commitments from the wheat and livestock sectors.

Two million pounds of food is equivalent to 40,000 emergency food boxes weighing approximately 50 lbs. each. Each box is enough to feed a family of 4 for 3-5 days.

Nevertheless, in a state where agricultural output is plentiful, Oregon remains one of the hungriest states. More help is urgently needed.

As part of Oregon Hunger Week, John Burt, executive director of Farmers Ending Hunger, will be in Salem on April 28 to make presentations to Oregon legislators about the state of hunger in Oregon and Southwest Washington. He will spotlight areas of greatest need, and explain how more growers and concerned individuals can get involved in the fight to end hunger through the organization’s Adopt-an-Acre program.

The current economic crisis has placed a heavy burden on low-income individuals and families. Coupled with the high cost of housing, health care, childcare, utilities and fuel, many people do not have enough money to pay for food. In some areas of Oregon demand for food assistance is up nearly 30 percent and emergency food box distribution has risen during the last fiscal year from 752,000 to 792,000 – a five percent increase.

To address the hunger issue, many growers and ranchers in Oregon have joined Farmers Ending Hunger and are donating, at no cost to FEH, a portion of their farm production including peas, onions, potatoes, wheat and meat. Through FEH’s Adopt-An-Acre program other people can also partner with them by helping to cover additional costs beyond the farm gate. Just $500 per acre covers necessary activities such as processing, packaging materials, storage and trucking.

On April 28th, soup - donated by FEH partner, Norpac Foods - will be available for purchase at three Café Today locations in Salem. All proceeds from the sale will go to Farmers Ending Hunger. Café Today LLC was co-founded by Rep. Kevin Cameron of Sales who also represents District 19 in the Oregon House.

“As a small businessman and community leader I am proud to partner with Farmers Ending Hunger to feed Oregon's hungry,” said Rep. Cameron.

Based in Salem, Oregon, Farmers Ending Hunger is an organization dedicated to generating more high quality food for the Oregon Food Bank Network through a partnership of farmers, food processors and the public.

Since its initial delivery of 173,000 pounds of frozen peas took place in November 2006, over two million pounds of food from the harvest of FEH producers around the state have been donated to Oregon Food Bank and its network of providers.

In addition to donations from farmers and growers, support for Farmers Ending Hunger comes through grants, tax-deductible donations and matching funds. For more information, make a contribution, or to volunteer, visit farmersendinghunger.com or call 503-931-9232.