A&P Helps Delivers 46,200 pounds of Fresh Apples to Local Food BanksA 2018-01-01 (1)

The Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea, Co. today made a donation of 46,200 pounds of apples, divided between  the Community FoodBank of New Jersey  and Island Harvest, to help feed the hungry in the local communities. This donation is the culminations of A&P’s participation in the Take a Bite Out of Hunger™ Program sponsored by First Fruits Marketing of Washington. First Fruits Marketing of Washington created The Take a Bite out of Hunger™ campaign to help feed the underserved while bringing attention to the problem of food insecurity in the United States. This is the third year they have partnered with local retailers such as A&P to make donations to local food banks around the United States. “Take a Bite Out of Hunger™ is a great way to provide fresh produce to our food bank,” said Eric Beelitz, director of produce at A&P. “This program provides tangible help to those in need, and providing the donation in the area where we work and live helps support our community.” Hunger isn’t just about being hungry. It’s about food insecurity, or not having regular access to safe, affordable and nutritious foods. In 2010, 15 percent of all U.S. households were food-insecure. Of those, 33 percent were children, 96 percent reported that the food they bought just did not last and they did not have money to get more, and 94% reported that they could not afford to eat balanced meals. This year seven retailers have joined the Take A Bite Out of Hunger™ effort, with 250,000 pounds of apples accrued for donation to local food banks throughout the United States. “This program is one of our favorites,” remarked Dennis Jackson, category manager of FirstFruits of Washington. “We enjoy helping our retail partners like A&P make these donations and have received great feedback from the food banks which are always appreciative of receiving fresh and healthy produce.”