Governor honors Pacific Coast Fruit Company for efforts to end hunger
(Salem) – As part of Harvest Week, Governor Ted Kulongoski today announced Pacific Coast Fruit Company as this year’s recipient of the Mahonia Food Industry Award for Hunger Relief. The annual award honors an Oregon company for its commitment to fighting hunger through its support of the Oregon Food Bank.
“Demand at local food banks is increasing, and Pacific Coast Fruit Company is helping food banks meet that demand,” Governor Kulongoski said. “It’s not just about providing families with food; it’s about providing families with nutritious, well-balanced emergency food boxes that make the generous support of Pacific Coast Fruit Company that much more notable.”
Pacific Coast Fruit Company is one of the Oregon Food Bank’s top donors. Under the leadership of David Nemarnik, president of Pacific Coast Fruit, the company has donated more than four million pounds of food over the past seven years. Last year alone, the company donated 750,000 pounds of food.
Pacific Coast Fruit also donated local corn and apples to the Local Lunch pilot program launched this week in the Portland and Gervais school districts. The program connects schools with Oregon farmers and food processors to provide students with healthy meals made entirely from local foods. The program also supports Oregon agriculture and teaches students to make healthy food choices.
The Governor and Mr. Nemarnik joined Kelly Elementary students yesterday for the very first Local Lunch. The pilot program was started in the Portland and Gervais school districts because they have higher percentages of students on free or reduced lunch.
The launch of the Local Lunch pilot program and the award are both a part of Harvest Week – an annual week started by the Governor in 2003 to ensure children and families have their basic food needs met and to support local agricultural and Oregon‘s economy.
Oregonians interested in helping food banks meet the increased demand should visit www.oregonfoodbank.org to find the local food bank in their community.
Contact:
Anna Richter Taylor, 503-378-6169
Rem Nivens, 503-378-6496
Jillian Schoene, 503-378-5040
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