11 Companies that Donate Food to Nonprofit Organizations that Serve as an Example

One of the biggest problems the world faces today is world hunger. After it has been declining for a decade, global hunger has been rising again. According to a United Nations report, in 2016 global hunger affected 815 million people. In 2017, there were 38 million more that suffered. In this context, it’s time to stop and see what are the companies that donate food to nonprofit organizations to help the less fortunate.

Companies that Donate Food to Nonprofit Organizations as a Model

1. Target

After the store team leader at Target had visited the Greater Chicago Food Depository, the entire company made an important decision. Instead of throwing away the food products that presented any cosmetic imperfections, they decided to donate them to the Food Depository. Soon, they implemented a national policy that enables this on a national level.

2. Giant Food Stores & Martin’s Food Markets

The supermarket chains Giant Food Stores and Martin’s Food Markets donated both cash and food products to various charities in the states where they have their stores. For example, in 2010 they totaled $19.1 million, which was impressive. They did it thanks to their theme, ‘Living Here. Giving Here.’ Among the charities that benefitted we can count United Way, Children’s Miracle Network, as well as other hunger relief organizations.

3. Goodness Greens

Goodness Greens is an organic produce distributor that works in Chicago. They, too, decided to donate their excess fruits and vegetables to the same Greater Chicago Food Depository we were talking about earlier. The food will further reach those who live in low-income neighborhoods, as well local food pantries. Both entities work together to make sure that they deliver fresh produce.

4. Tyson Foods and Delaware North

Back in 2011, the Food Bank in Western New York, found in Buffalo, received around 29,000 lbs. of boneless chicken from Tyson Foods, together with Delaware North. Ever since then, both have been some of the best companies that donate food to nonprofit organizations, which we should take as an example. Since poultry is generally rich in nutrients, it is perfect for those who need some extra protein, such as young children or the elderly. And if you’re wondering, The Food Bank of Western New York helps four counties, offering food to an impressive number of 100,000 each year.

5. Panera Bread

Panera Bread is the name of a popular bakery-café chain that helped fight world hunger right from the start. Each day, when their schedule ends, all their locations donate the baked goods and the bread that doesn’t get sold to the local hunger relief agencies. Moreover, every neighborhood branch has a Panera Cares Community Breadbox, where you can donate as well. Next, they are partnering with Feeding America to distribute the funds to other local nonprofits.

6. Walmart

Back in 2010, Walmart, together with the Walmart Foundation, started the Fighting Hunger Together program. It was, in fact, a commitment that lasted through 2015 to fight this problem in America. They managed to achieve their goal one year early, totaling $260 million cash and $2.6 billion in in-kind donations. Only in 2013, they managed to donate over 571 million pounds of food. Plus, they set up an employee volunteering platform which proved to be very successful as well.

7. Darden Restaurants

Darden Restaurants is one of the companies that donate food to nonprofit organizations. If the name doesn’t sound familiar to you, you may remember it from the Fortune 500, where it got thanks to brands like LongHorn Steakhouse, Bahama Breeze, or Olive Garden. Back in 2003, they started the Darden Harvest program, which aimed to rescue food from landfills and bring it to those who needed it. All the Darden restaurants participated in this program and managed to donate over 77 million pounds of food to hungry families since they started it.

8. Cisco

For more than a decade now, Cisco has been using employees’ volunteer time and donations to fight hunger and food insecurity all around the world. They have an annual campaign called the Global Hunger Relief Campaign, which supports over 160 nonprofits, as well as NGOs. In 2014, for example, the Cisco employees volunteered for 44,000 hours at various hunger relief nonprofits. Shortly, the company tripled all the donations coming both from employees and other donors.

9. Kellogg

Kellogg is one of the companies that donate food to nonprofit organizations that have been fighting for this for more than 30 years. They have an initiative called Breakfasts for Better Days, which means they are donating 1 billion servings of cereal and snacks. On average, they donate more than $20 million each year, in food products, for hunger and disaster relief. Moreover, they partner with various food bank networks across the globe, as well as with Feeding America.

10. Morgan Stanley

Back in 2014, Morgan Stanley was the company to launch Healthy Cities. This is a program that aims to coordinate nutrition, wellness, and play resources for children. They worked together with national, as well as local nonprofits. According to Feeding America, this program connected separate programs and put together a package for wellness education and screenings, healthy food, plus safe play spaces.

11. Yum! Brands

Yum! Brands is the name of the largest restaurant company, which owns brands like Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and KFC. In 2007, they started the World Hunger Relief program, which was a personal passion for the CEO, David Novak. The program aims to raise awareness, funds, and volunteerism and help feed hungry people. They send all the donations to the United Nations World Food Program.

Conclusion

There are plenty of companies that donate food to nonprofit organizations, which should serve as an example for all the other businesses. Luckily, there are more and more entrepreneurs and managers who decide to involve the company they work at in such generous volunteering or donating programs. And this is all for the best since world hunger still represents a big issue in today’s world. If you’re feeling inspired by their gestures, you can head to various donation sites online and make a change.

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