Company Brands Relief Efforts 'Meals That Matter'
NEW YORK, Apr 27, 2012 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX) --Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE:TSN), which has a history of feeding first responders and survivors in the aftermath of disasters such as 9-11 and the tornados and flooding of 2011, today unveiled a special mobile feeding unit equipped to enhance the company's disaster relief efforts.
A photo accompanying this release is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=12602
The 53-foot semi-trailer premiered this morning in New York City during a live segment on "Fox & Friends," cable TV's top-ranked morning news show.
The trailer will serve as a central supply unit at disaster sites to support the feeding efforts of multiple Tyson "cook teams" that bring grills and Tyson volunteers to help feed those in need.
The trailer is outfitted with enough refrigerated space to store up to 20,000 pounds of chicken, beef or pork, a 5,500-watt generator and satellite communications. It also bears the new name of Tyson Foods' disaster relief feeding program, "Meals that Matter," which reflects the company's long-standing practice of feeding disaster survivors and relief workers.
"For decades we've responded to disasters in or near our plant communities in 26 states by doing what we do best: feeding people," said John Tyson, Chairman of Tyson Foods. "When disasters strike, our team members mobilize and bring in grills, food and volunteers to help out, sometimes for multiple days or even weeks. Our new 'Meals that Matter' truck will help those teams by giving them all the supplies they need to make it easier to help."
With the exception of a grill, the "Meals that Matter" unit has everything needed to set up and run a cooking site including: full refrigeration, tents and lights, sanitation equipment, cooking and serving supplies, a generator, hydraulic lift and even a Wi-Fi hot spot for internet connections via satellite. Mobile grills will be supplied, as needed, by Tyson's plant locations. More than 40 plant sites are currently capable of responding to disasters by sending grills and Tyson volunteers to cook food.
(VIDEO: Broadcast quality video of the disaster relief mobile feeding unit can be downloaded from the following site: http://youtu.be/5EW5UXk1knQ. A brief video with information about the unit can be seen by going to: http://youtu.be/ke24EsLJZZY).
Tyson Foods will work closely with the American Red Cross during future disaster relief efforts. In February, Tyson signed a formal statement of collaboration with the Red Cross, agreeing to become a Disaster Responder Partner of the organization.
"We are grateful for partners like Tyson Foods, who help us prepare for disasters whenever and wherever they may strike," said Charley Shimanski, senior vice president of Disaster Services of the American Red Cross. "Thanks to their generous support, we can feed, shelter and provide emotional support to individuals and families, when communities need us most."
On average, Tyson is involved in responding to four to five major disasters each year. In recent years, the company has provided between $300,000 and $500,000 annually in food and financial support to disaster relief.
About 150 Tyson employees from seven states were deployed to northern Alabama in 2011 to help in the aftermath of tornadoes that moved through the region a year ago today. They served 270,000 pounds of food, donated ice and water and provided diesel fuel to poultry farmers who had to operate their farms with generators. When a tornado tore through Joplin, Mo., in May 2011, killing more than 160 people, Tyson relief teams arrived on-site in less than 24 hours to provide more than 120,000 pounds of food to local survivors and relief workers.
Tyson Foods also has taken great measures to end hunger outside of disaster relief. Since 2000, Tyson has donated 86 million pounds of much-needed protein to hundreds of food banks, food pantries and relief agencies in 48 states. In 2011 Tyson helped fund the largest and most comprehensive study ever conducted on attitudes and perceptions of hunger. The study found that one in four Americans worry about having enough money to put food on the table.
Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE:TSN), founded in 1935 with headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas, is one of the world's largest processors and marketers of chicken, beef and pork, the second-largest food production company in the Fortune 500 and a member of the S&P 500. The company produces a wide variety of protein-based and prepared food products and is the recognized market leader in the retail and foodservice markets it serves. Tyson provides products and services to customers throughout the United States and more than 130 countries. The company has approximately 115,000 Team Members employed at more than 400 facilities and offices in the United States and around the world. Through its Core Values, Code of Conduct and Team Member Bill of Rights, Tyson strives to operate with integrity and trust and is committed to creating value for its shareholders, customers and Team Members. The company also strives to be faith-friendly, provide a safe work environment and serve as stewards of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it.
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SOURCE: Tyson Foods, Inc.
Tyson Foods, Inc.
CONTACT: Gary Mickelson 479-290-6111