Co-Alliance has announced they have partnered with Land O’Lakes, Inc. to donate nearly 40,000 pounds of LAND O LAKES® Macaroni & Cheese to Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana through the Land O’Lakes First Run Program.
The First Run Program has donated more than 6.7 million pounds of product since it was established in 2010. The program is committed to donating truckloads of fresh product year-round, made specifically for food banks to help alleviate hunger across the United States.
“Our farmer-owned cooperative plays a large role in producing the safest, most abundant food supply in the world. There is no reason why people in our rural communities should go hungry,” said Kevin Still, President & CEO of Co-Alliance Cooperative. “The First Run program is a terrific way to harness the power of the local and regional cooperatives to serve a large amount of people. Eight Indiana counties will be covered with this donation.”
The cooperative also made a $2,000 cash donation at the time of the macaroni and cheese contribution. Second Harvest values one pound of food at $1.92, so that would make 40,000 lbs. of macaroni & cheese a $76,800 value!
“As a national, farmer-owned cooperative, Land O’Lakes is committed to helping the growing number of people who struggle to put food on their table,” said Sheilah Stewart, SVP & General Counsel, Land O’Lakes, Inc. “The First Run program provides a unique opportunity for Land O’Lakes to offer nutritious products to families in need.”
“We are thrilled to receive this amazing donation to the people of our communities. Land O’Lakes and Co-Alliance Cooperative are wonderful partners and this food will help us serve over the 70,000 food and resource insecure neighbors throughout East Central Indiana.” said Bekah Clawson, President & CEO, Second Harvest Food Bank.
The First Run donation is part of Co-Alliance’s cooperative-wide initiative to promote and invest in food security throughout the trade territory in 2023. The co-op recently concluded an internal employee food security drive, Planting The Seeds For Food Security, that raised $15,480. That commitment from the farmer-owned cooperative is now being tripled, as Co-Alliance is matching every dollar donated by employees and Land O’Lakes will match what Co-Alliance commits through their Member Co-op Match program.
Planting The Seeds For Food Security was developed to invite employees to play a key part in ending hunger in local rural communities. The total money raised to be given back to rural communities through food security donations and the match program is officially $46,440.
Employees were also given the opportunity to elect specifically where those funds are distributed. They could choose churches, community or regional food banks that serve families in their hometowns. It is through this very personal feedback that Co-Alliance will now direct those dollars throughout the spring and summer.
