Jun 27, 2016

United Fresh donates more than 51,000 pounds of produce

The United Fresh Produce Association donated 51,042 pounds of produce and 641 pounds of assorted dry food to the Greater Chicago Food Depository at the conclusion of the United Fresh 2016 annual convention and expo in Chicago this week.

Volunteers collect donations from the convention floor to benefit those in need serviced by Greater Chicago Food Depository partner agencies such as food pantries, soup kitchens, and other emergency feeding centers.

The Greater Chicago Food Depository is a member of the Feeding America network of food banks. This year’s total donation of 51,710 pounds continues a United Fresh tradition of supporting the Feeding America network after the annual convention.

The Food Depository, founded in 1979 to serve Cook County, has a network of 650 pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, mobile programs, children’s programs and older adult programs that address the root causes of hunger. Last year, the Food Depository distributed 68 million pounds of shelf-stable food, fresh produce, dairy products and meat, the equivalent of 155,000 meals every day.