What do Indiana State Fair, Hunger Action Month and Indiana Farmers have in common?

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (October 3, 2011) — September was Hunger Action Month, and Indiana’s Family of Farmers did their part outside of the fields this harvest to help feed the hungry.

On September 22, Indiana’s Family of Farmers (IFOF) presented a check for $3,320 to Feeding Indiana’s Hungry (FIsH) during its Hunger Action Month Luncheon.  This money will be used to purchase food – enough for 1,540 meals – to feed Indiana families. 

“The members of Indiana’s Family of Farmers are invaluable partners in the mission of Feeding Indiana’s Hungry and its 11 regional food banks to feed those in need,” said Emily Weikert Bryant, Executive Director of Feeding Indiana’s Hungry.  “At a time when one is six Hoosiers is at risk of hunger, and the number of Indiana children is as high as one in four, the assistance of the agricultural community is crucial in getting food from the farm to the tables of those in our community most in need of assistance.”

This donation was made possible through the IFOF Recipe Trail at the Indiana State Fair in August. Fairgoers were asked to pick up recipes in 10 locations around the fairgrounds.  For every person who went through the trail, one pound of food was committed to FIsH and its 11 member food banks around Indiana.  This year, 2,000 people went through the trail, allowing 2,000 pounds of food to be donated.  The Feeding America network values donated poundage at $1.66 per pound, so the total amount was a donation of $3,320.

“Indiana farmers have always been active members of their communities just as the member food banks of Feeding Indiana’s Hungry help the communities they serve,” said Lynn Teel, farmer from Chalmers, Ind. and president of Indiana Soybean Alliance, an IFOF partner.  “This makes it a great partnership.  What Indiana’s Family of Farmers does best is grow safe, nutritious food, so what better way to help than to partner with an organization that is helping to feed families in need.”

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Feeding Indiana's Hungry (FIsH) is the statewide association of Feeding America affiliated food banks (formerly America’s Second Harvest).  Our eleven member food banks serve more than 1,700 agencies in all 92 counties, providing emergency food assistance to Hoosiers in need.

Feeding Indiana’s Hungry, Inc. food banks statewide include:

Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, Gary
Food Bank of Northern Indiana, South Bend
Food Finders Food Bank, Inc., Lafayette
Community Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Indiana, Ft. Wayne
Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana, Inc., Muncie
Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana, Indianapolis
Terre Haute Catholic Charities Foodbank, Terre Haute
Hoosier Hills Food Bank, Bloomington
Tri-State Food Bank, Inc., Evansville
Dare to Care Food Bank, Louisville, KY
Freestore Foodbank, Cincinnati, OH

For more information on Feeding Indiana’s Hungry, Inc., view our website at www.feedingindianashungry.org. 

Indiana's Family of Farmers are among the nation's top producers of the grains, produce and meats you eat every day because we believe that quality farming means quality food that's good for you, your families and the environment. That's our promise. Food for your family, from our family.

For more information on Indiana’s Family of Farmers, visit http://www.indianafamilyoffarmers.com/

Media Contact: Megan Kuhn, mkuhn@indianasoybean.com or 317-614-0377