• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

SK Foods Makes Record Donation to Food Bank for Monterey County

Posted on: Monday, 9 June 2008, 21:00 CDT

The Food Bank for Monterey County today received the first truckload of diced tomatoes from Monterey-based SK Foods as part of the food bank's single largest non-perishable food donation to date. In all the Food Bank for Monterey County, serving 50,000 people monthly, will receive 15,000 cases of tomatoes from SK Foods, one of the world's leading processors of tomato products.

"This is an absolutely wonderful donation and it couldn't come at a better time, when donations are down," said Leslie Sunny, executive director of the Food Bank for Monterey County. "Diced tomatoes are such wonderful products that can be used in so many different ways."

Statewide, SK Foods is donating close to one million 15 oz. cans of diced tomatoes to help replenish supplies at food banks, diminishing due to the rising costs of food and fuel. The retail value of the donation is well over $1 million.

The SK Foods donation constitutes one of the five largest food bank donations in the state's history, according to Bill Foltz, food solicitor for Second Harvest Food Bank, who is helping to coordinate distribution of the diced tomatoes. "It's a great product and has such versatility to it. This outstanding donation comes at a time when our food banks are scrambling desperately for donations," explained Foltz.

Deliveries to food banks began June 5th with a drop-off of close to 35,000 cans of SK Foods tomatoes to the San Francisco Food Bank. Additional deliveries are planned in Fresno and Tulare counties, and at food banks in Alameda, Watsonville, San Jose, Redwood Empire (in Santa Rosa), and San Joaquin (in Manteca). SK Foods is providing all transportation and covering freight costs, a tremendous added value to the food banks.

"The world food shortages are right here in our backyard," said SK Foods Chief Executive Officer Scott Salyer. "We hope other food companies will follow our lead and help the food banks." SK Foods is owned and operated by the Salyer family, which has successfully farmed diversified crops on a large scale in California's Central Valley since the early 1900s.

About the Food Bank for Monterey County

The Food Bank for Monterey County, a certified America's Second Harvest Food Bank, is the largest supplier of emergency food in Monterey County and a key proponent of anti-hunger education and advocacy. Distributing five million pounds of food annually, the food bank's mission is to lead community efforts in the awareness and elimination of hunger in Monterey County. For more information, please visit www.food4hungry.org.

About SK Foods

SK Foods is one of the world's leading processors of tomato and vegetable products for re-manufacturers, retail and foodservice marketers. Established in 1990, SK Foods is part of the SK Foods Group of companies, with headquarters in Monterey, California, and processing facilities at locations in California, New Zealand, and Australia. For more information please visit www.skfoods.com.

Source: Business Wire

More News in this Category