VALDOSTA, GA – For the fifth consecutive year, Harveys Supermarkets donated apples to Second Harvest of South Georgia, the regional food bank, to help feed those in need in the community. This year the company gave over 13,700 pounds of Fuji and Granny Smith apples; this brings their cumulative donations through the “Take a Bite Out of Hunger” program to over 180,000 pounds.

The Take a Bite Out of Hunger™ Program is sponsored by FirstFruits Marketing of Washington in partnership with retailers like Harveys. They created the campaign to help feed the underserved while bringing attention to the problem of food insecurity in the United States.

Hunger is a pervasive problem in South Georgia. 1 in 4 people, including 1 in 3 children, in our area do not have access to a stable source of food. Georgia ranks 4th in childhood hunger in the United States, and Second Harvest’s 30 county service area has the highest rates of any region in the state. Complicating the issue is the fact that generally at-risk individuals and family can afford food that is of little nutritional value.

“This donation is particularly beneficial to us because apples are such a high quality, wholesome source of nutrition,” said Eliza McCall, Chief Marketing Officer of Second Harvest of South Georgia. “Harveys generosity will help us meet the increased demand of the summer months, a time when children who normally rely on schools to provide breakfast and lunch may go hungry.” She stated, “Fighting hunger in our area is not something Second Harvest can do alone. It takes a cooperative effort to make a difference. Harvey’s has been a valuable partner in that work for a many years, and we are grateful for their continued support.”

“This program and this donation important to the Harveys team because we are ‘The Hometown Grocer’, and we want to give back to the local communities we are a part of,” said Tony Smith, Harveys Produce Category Manager.

About Second Harvest of South Georgia

Second Harvest of South Georgia serves 30 South Georgia counties and is largest rural food bank in Georgia. Headquartered in Valdosta, the organization has locations in Albany, Douglas, and Thomasville. Through our network of over 425 partner charities and through our programs, Second Harvest distributed more than 18.5 million pounds of food in 2013 to children, seniors and families struggling with hunger. For more information on how to help alleviate hunger in South Georgia, visit us online at www.feedingsga.org.

About Harveys Supermarkets

Harveys Supermarkets was founded in 1950 in Nashville, Georgia. While the company has grown to include stores across the South, Harveys is committed to maintaining the hometown values and friendly service on which it was based. For more information, go to www.harveys-supermarkets.com.

About FirstFruits Marketing

FirstFruits Marketing is a collaborative apple marketing company owned by growers. These growers share a commitment to producing high quality fruit while balancing the demands of purpose, people, planet and profit so that a portion of profits can be donated to non-profit missions supporting the underserved. Visit www.firstfruits.com for more information.

Source: Second Harvest of South Georgia