Heifer International to Donate 150 Pounds of Food a Week to Arkansas Food Deserts

Little Rock, AR, March 26, 2020 — Heifer International, a global development organization working to end hunger and poverty in 21 countries, including the United States, today announced it will donate over 150 pounds of fresh produce per week to Fresh2You, a nonprofit “mobile market” serving families in Little Rock area food deserts. Heifer International will source directly from its two working farms, Heifer USA’s Heifer Ranch in Perryville and Heifer Urban Farm, located at the Heifer International headquarters in Little Rock. Heifer Ranch will make a weekly donation of 150 pounds of produce, in addition to a one-time donation of 100 pounds of 100 percent grass-fed ground beef, and Heifer Urban Farm will provide additional produce when available from its climate smart aquaponics system.

Over 500,000 Arkansans are food insecure and will face mounting challenges in coming months amid the coronavirus pandemic. The donations from Heifer International will ensure Fresh2You can continue to deliver nutritious food directly to neighborhoods struggling with food insecurity and access, using minimal contact.

“At Heifer International, we are committed to serving our neighbors, as we work with local farmers here in the United States and around the world to ensure their families and communities make it through this difficult time,” said Pierre Ferrari, President and CEO of Heifer International. “We know that the most vulnerable populations are always hit the hardest in times of crisis. Local hourly, contract, and service workers will suffer most financially, and we want our neighbors to know we are here to support them with healthy, nutritious food, fresh from our local farms.”

The meat and produce donated by Heifer International will supplement other foods provided by Fresh2You. As grocery stores struggle to keep shelves stocked while residents shelter in place, the weekly deliveries will mitigate the hardships low-income families will face during and following the coronavirus pandemic.

"Our city has a big need, and together we can end hunger,” stated Josh Harris, Director of Fresh2You. “That's why we are thrilled to partner with Heifer International in order to source healthy and local produce to families in need."

Heifer International is actively exploring additional ways to support the work of Fresh2You, other community organizations, and local small-scale farmers providing good food to the citizens of central Arkansas and beyond. Additionally, Heifer USA is continuing to support local food systems through online farmer engagement and training on climate smart agriculture practices, in order to increase small-scale farm productivity and incomes.

ABOUT HEIFER INTERNATIONAL

For 75 years, Heifer International has worked with more than 35 million people around the world to end hunger and poverty in a sustainable way. Working with rural communities in 21 countries in Africa, Asia, and the Americas, including the United States, Heifer International supports local farmers and food producers to strengthen local economies and build secure livelihoods that provide a living income. For information, visit http://www.heifer.org.

ABOUT FRESH2YOU

Fresh2You is a non-profit mobile market bus that delivers fresh food to food deserts in and surrounding Little Rock, Arkansas, in order to help families experiencing food insecurity. Visit www.vineandvillage.org/fresh2you-market to learn more about Fresh2You, or visit them on Facebook or Twitter at https://www.facebook.com/Fresh2YouMobileMarket/

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Media Contact:

Kim Barbano, Kimberly.Barbano@heifer.org, 202.316.7928