NEW YORK-AREA EGG FARMERS DONATE MORE THAN
550,000 EGGS TO FOOD BANK NYC

Egg Farmers Donate More Than 12 Million Eggs to Feeding America This Easter

(New York, NY) April 7, 2009 – The Easter Bunny has a great friend in New York-area egg farmers as Moark LLC and Rose Acre Farms prepare to donate more than 550,000 eggs to Food Bank NYC leading up to Easter.

“Eggs have always been an important staple in the American diet, but they are also one of the hardest food categories to acquire,” said Vicki Escarra, president and CEO of Feeding America.  “With our food banks reporting a 30 percent average increase in demand for emergency food assistance, compared to one year ago, this egg donation comes at the perfect time.”

For the second year in a row, United Egg Producers and Feeding America are teaming up to feed the nation’s hungry. The partnership here in New York and throughout the country will help the 36 million people who are at risk of hunger in the United States.

There are approximately four million New Yorkers who experience difficulty affording food, an astounding number and one that continues to increase as the donated food supply drops to an all-time low and food costs skyrocket. 

“In today’s economy, demand at food shelves is increasing and supplies are decreasing,” said Craig Willardson of Moark LLC.  “That’s why this is such an important initiative for us this year.  We’d like to encourage other food companies to join us in donating to our nation’s food banks.”

In coordination with Feeding America – The Nation's Food Bank Network – America’s egg farmers from across the country will be donating more than 12 million eggs to help make sure America’s food banks are well stocked with nutrient-dense eggs.

A powerhouse of nutrition for their size and caloric content, every egg has 13 essential nutrients including the highest quality protein, choline, folate, iron and zinc, for only 75 calories. 

“United Egg Producers is dedicated to helping those less fortunate in our local communities across the country,” said Gene Gregory, president of United Egg Producers.  “Our hope is that this donation makes a significant difference in the lives of many people who live at risk of hunger, especially during the Easter holiday.”

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About United Egg Producers

United Egg Producers (UEP) is the nation’s leading trade association for U.S. egg farmers, representing 97 percent of U.S. egg farmers, whose members produce eggs including modern cage production, cage-free, free range, organic and other specialty eggs. UEP is based in Alpharetta, GA. To learn more about the egg industry visit www.uepcertified.com.

 About Feeding America
(Formerly America's Second Harvest - The Nation's Food Bank Network)

Feeding America provides low-income individuals and families with the fuel to survive and even thrive. As the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief charity, our network members supply food to more than 25 million Americans each year, including 9 million children and 3 million seniors. Serving the entire United States, more than 200 member food banks operate 63,000 agencies that address hunger in all of its forms. For more information on how you can fight hunger in your community and across the country, visit www.feedingamerica.org.

About Food Bank NYC

Food Bank For New York City recognizes 25 years as the city's major hunger-relief organization. Working to end food poverty and increase access to affordable, nutritious food for low-income New Yorkers throughout the five boroughs, the Food Bank's initiatives focus on direct services, food sourcing and distribution, education and nutrition, financial empowerment, disaster relief and policy and research.  To learn more visit http://www.foodbanknyc.org/.