GOYA FOODS DONATES
75,000 POUNDS OF FOOD
THROUGH UNITED WAY OF
NEW YORK CITY
Local
donation is part of one million pound
food contribution
distributed across the country
to fight hunger
NEW
YORK, NEW YORK, March 16, 2011 – Goya Foods, the
leading Hispanic-owned food company in the United
States, today announced the donation of 75,000 pounds of
food to 10 local New York City food pantries, in
collaboration with United Way of New York City. Taking
place on the 75th day of Goya’s 75th
year, the donation fortifies their larger mission to
fight hunger and food insecurity among the communities
they serve.
Volunteers, staff and clients of the food pantries,
along with Goya and United Way representatives, gathered
together at the West Side Campaign Against Hunger to
celebrate with a cook-off by three Customer Chefs, who
prepared and provided tips on healthy and affordable
Goya-inspired dishes. Carey Yorio, a 4th
generation member of the Goya family, judged the
cook-off and invited the audience to assist her in
determining the winning dish.
“Nearly one in five Americans lacked the money to buy
the food they needed last year,” said Gordon Campbell,
President and CEO of United Way of New York City. “Due
to the scarcity of healthy options in low-income
neighborhoods, obesity, diabetes and other diet-related
diseases are on the rise. In the South Bronx, almost one
in three people are regularly unable to afford a meal.
These are some of the most severe hunger problems in the
entire country. We want to increase access to not just
affordable food, but healthy, nutritious food, for all
New Yorkers.”
“Due
to the recession, the problem of hunger in New York City
has grown significantly,” said Doreen Wohl, Executive
Director of the West Side Campaign Against Hunger. “Last
year, about 1.4 million New York City residents
struggled to afford enough food. It is critical that we
provide nutritious options to people who really need it.
This donation is a tremendous gesture and feeds a lot of
people.”
“Goya
has an extensive history of donating food on a local and
national level,” said Carey Yorio, 4th generation Goya
family member and Research & Development Associate at
the family-run Goya Foods. “We have provided aid to
disaster recovery efforts around the world, including
Haiti and Chile. Last year, Goya donated more than 1.5
million pounds of food in the United States. This
contribution is a generous and remarkable move in a
healthier direction.”
The
donation is a part of Goya’s larger contribution of one
million pounds of food across the United States and
Puerto Rico. The donation of rice, dry beans and other
Goya favorites will feed three million people, and is
the largest ever single day contribution by a food
company. In addition, as part of their commitment to
aiding victims of natural disasters, Goya announced
today that the company will donate 100,000 cans of Goya
coconut water to help deliver nutrients quickly to the
victims in Japan.
Goya
Foods, in partnership with United Way, also launched the
Goya Gives campaign, which encourages consumers
to participate in the fight against hunger and promote
better nutrition though various Goya Gives social
media platforms. For 75 days, from March 16th
to May 29th, the public can contribute
recipes, photos and stories of low-cost, nutritious
meals with friends or neighbors in need. Participants
can also share their Goya Gives status with their
friends on Facebook and Twitter. In addition, the
public can make monetary donations to United Way to help
fund the organization’s mission to prevent hunger and
promote better nutrition in communities across America.
About
United Way of New York City
United Way of New York City (UWNYC)
creates, leads and supports strategic initiatives that
seek to achieve lasting city-wide improvements in the
education, income stability, and health of New Yorkers.
We believe that everyone has a role in building a
better future for all. We offer diverse
opportunities for New Yorkers to give, advocate and
volunteer to advance the common good. To learn more
about our work and how to get involved, visit
www.unitedwaynyc.org.
About
Goya Foods
Founded in 1936, Goya Foods, Inc. is America’s largest
Hispanic-owned food company, and has established itself
as the leader in Latin American food and condiments.
Goya manufactures packages and distributes over 1,600
high-quality food products from the Caribbean, Mexico,
Central and South America. Goya products have their
roots in the culinary traditions of Hispanic communities
around the world; their combination of authentic
ingredients, robust seasonings and convenient
preparation make them ideal for every taste and every
table. For more information on Goya Foods, please visit
www.goya.com
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