Food Bank of South Jersey Names Campbell Soup Company 2017 Champion Against Hunger Awardee
Campbell Awarded for Its Long-Standing Partnership in Support of FBSJ’s Mission
Pennsauken, NJ, October 25, 2017 --(PR.com)-- The Food Bank of South Jersey (FBSJ) announced today that it has named Campbell Soup Company the 2017 Champion Against Hunger Award recipient.
The award will be presented to representatives of Campbell at FBSJ’s annual gala, Viva South Jersey, to be held November 4 at the Crowne Plaza in Cherry Hill, NJ.
“Our decades-long partnership with Campbell represents community innovation at its finest,” stated FBSJ President and CEO Val Traore, who has overseen the non-profit organization since 2006. “Through collaborative projects and a steadfast commitment to building healthier communities through education, their generous support has enabled our team to accomplish some incredible work for South Jersey, and this award recognizes that.”
The Camden-based company’s support for FBSJ has resulted in more than $1 million in direct and in-kind support, over 800,000 pounds of donated food, over 9,000 volunteer hours and countless educational programs supporting Camden residents. With 13 percent of Camden’s population living below the poverty level and 28 percent living with obesity, Campbell has made community impact and food access a hallmark to their company’s overall strategic vision. The focused support through their Healthy Communities initiative has enabled FBSJ to teach thousands of children, parents, and families through a comprehensive network of targeted coursework over a number of years through programs such as FBSJ’s Cooking Matters classes, Eating Well with Diabetes for Families classes, Healthy Cooking with Parents classes, among many others.
“Campbell is committed to making a measurable difference in our hometown communities,” stated Kim Fortunato, Campbell’s Director of Community Affairs and President, Campbell Soup Foundation. “Our partnership with the Food Bank of South Jersey has made an impact in the community and helps us live our purpose to deliver ‘real food that matters for life’s moments.’ We are honored to accept this recognition and share this award with the many employees and volunteers whose involvement is crucial to our mission.”
In 2012, FBSJ and Campbell executives touring a local peach farm took action to eliminate the annual waste of more than one million pounds of excess peaches by launching a collaborative effort known as Just Peachy Salsa. Available in over 115 New Jersey retail outlets, the award-winning product works on multiple levels to reduce local food waste, relieve farmers’ dumping fees and raise funding for FBSJ’s critical hunger-relief programs.
“Through their innovative partnership, we have been able to explore new methods for outreaching the more than 196,000 food-insecure children, seniors, and families in South Jersey,” stated Traore. “Thanks to their sustained support, we can continue to provide sustainable solutions for improving the lives of thousands of people in need.”
In 2016, FBSJ distributed more than 11 million pounds of food to more than 196,000 food-insecure residents in Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, and Salem counties. Proceeds from this year’s Viva South Jersey Gala will help fund FBSJ’s children’s programs focused on ensuring kids have consistent access to nutritious meals all year long.
About the Food Bank of South Jersey
The Food Bank of South Jersey (FBSJ) is the leader in providing safe and nutritional food to people in need throughout South Jersey. FBSJ distributes food, provides nutrition education and cooking courses, and helps food-insecure families and seniors find sustainable ways to improve their lives. In 2016, FBSJ provided over 11 million pounds of food to approximately 200,000 South Jersey residents. Providing community impact through local support, FBSJ ensures that local donations stay local. FBSJ is a member of Feeding America, our nation’s largest hunger-relief organization. To learn more visit www.foodbanksj.org.
About Campbell Soup Company
Campbell is driven and inspired by our Purpose, “Real food that matters for life’s moments.” We make a range of high-quality soups and simple meals, beverages, snacks and packaged fresh foods. For generations, people have trusted Campbell to provide authentic, flavorful and readily available foods and beverages that connect them to each other, to warm memories and to what’s important today. Led by our iconic Campbell’s brand, our portfolio includes Pepperidge Farm, Bolthouse Farms, Arnott’s, V8, Swanson, Pace, Prego, Plum, Royal Dansk, Kjeldsens and Garden Fresh Gourmet. Founded in 1869, Campbell has a heritage of giving back and acting as a good steward of the planet’s natural resources. The company is a member of the Standard & Poor’s 500 and the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes. For more information, visit www.campbellsoupcompany.com or follow company news on Twitter via @CampbellSoupCo. To learn more about how we make our food and the choices behind the ingredients we use, visit www.whatsinmyfood.com.
The award will be presented to representatives of Campbell at FBSJ’s annual gala, Viva South Jersey, to be held November 4 at the Crowne Plaza in Cherry Hill, NJ.
“Our decades-long partnership with Campbell represents community innovation at its finest,” stated FBSJ President and CEO Val Traore, who has overseen the non-profit organization since 2006. “Through collaborative projects and a steadfast commitment to building healthier communities through education, their generous support has enabled our team to accomplish some incredible work for South Jersey, and this award recognizes that.”
The Camden-based company’s support for FBSJ has resulted in more than $1 million in direct and in-kind support, over 800,000 pounds of donated food, over 9,000 volunteer hours and countless educational programs supporting Camden residents. With 13 percent of Camden’s population living below the poverty level and 28 percent living with obesity, Campbell has made community impact and food access a hallmark to their company’s overall strategic vision. The focused support through their Healthy Communities initiative has enabled FBSJ to teach thousands of children, parents, and families through a comprehensive network of targeted coursework over a number of years through programs such as FBSJ’s Cooking Matters classes, Eating Well with Diabetes for Families classes, Healthy Cooking with Parents classes, among many others.
“Campbell is committed to making a measurable difference in our hometown communities,” stated Kim Fortunato, Campbell’s Director of Community Affairs and President, Campbell Soup Foundation. “Our partnership with the Food Bank of South Jersey has made an impact in the community and helps us live our purpose to deliver ‘real food that matters for life’s moments.’ We are honored to accept this recognition and share this award with the many employees and volunteers whose involvement is crucial to our mission.”
In 2012, FBSJ and Campbell executives touring a local peach farm took action to eliminate the annual waste of more than one million pounds of excess peaches by launching a collaborative effort known as Just Peachy Salsa. Available in over 115 New Jersey retail outlets, the award-winning product works on multiple levels to reduce local food waste, relieve farmers’ dumping fees and raise funding for FBSJ’s critical hunger-relief programs.
“Through their innovative partnership, we have been able to explore new methods for outreaching the more than 196,000 food-insecure children, seniors, and families in South Jersey,” stated Traore. “Thanks to their sustained support, we can continue to provide sustainable solutions for improving the lives of thousands of people in need.”
In 2016, FBSJ distributed more than 11 million pounds of food to more than 196,000 food-insecure residents in Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, and Salem counties. Proceeds from this year’s Viva South Jersey Gala will help fund FBSJ’s children’s programs focused on ensuring kids have consistent access to nutritious meals all year long.
About the Food Bank of South Jersey
The Food Bank of South Jersey (FBSJ) is the leader in providing safe and nutritional food to people in need throughout South Jersey. FBSJ distributes food, provides nutrition education and cooking courses, and helps food-insecure families and seniors find sustainable ways to improve their lives. In 2016, FBSJ provided over 11 million pounds of food to approximately 200,000 South Jersey residents. Providing community impact through local support, FBSJ ensures that local donations stay local. FBSJ is a member of Feeding America, our nation’s largest hunger-relief organization. To learn more visit www.foodbanksj.org.
About Campbell Soup Company
Campbell is driven and inspired by our Purpose, “Real food that matters for life’s moments.” We make a range of high-quality soups and simple meals, beverages, snacks and packaged fresh foods. For generations, people have trusted Campbell to provide authentic, flavorful and readily available foods and beverages that connect them to each other, to warm memories and to what’s important today. Led by our iconic Campbell’s brand, our portfolio includes Pepperidge Farm, Bolthouse Farms, Arnott’s, V8, Swanson, Pace, Prego, Plum, Royal Dansk, Kjeldsens and Garden Fresh Gourmet. Founded in 1869, Campbell has a heritage of giving back and acting as a good steward of the planet’s natural resources. The company is a member of the Standard & Poor’s 500 and the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes. For more information, visit www.campbellsoupcompany.com or follow company news on Twitter via @CampbellSoupCo. To learn more about how we make our food and the choices behind the ingredients we use, visit www.whatsinmyfood.com.
Contact
Food Bank of South Jersey
Lauren Hann
856-375-4417
foodbanksj.org
Lauren Hann
856-375-4417
foodbanksj.org
Contact
Categories