Shuman Farms to Discuss Giving Back at Southeast Produce Council's Southern Exposure; John Shuman Shares
REIDSVILLE, GA - One of the things I find most admirable about the produce industry is its continuous efforts to support those in need. Shuman Farms has been doing so for over 20 years, setting giving back as a high priority amongst the company. Through powerful programs such as Healthy Family Project®, its Feeding America® bag promotions, and supporting breast cancer awareness in October, President and Chief Executive Officer John Shuman has been a key driver of cause-marketing industry-wide.
“More than 38 million people, including 12 million children, face hunger in the United States,” said Shuman. “As farmers and food producers in America, it is our responsibility not only to shed light on this crisis, but to also do something about it.”
The organization will be highlighting these ambitious cause-marketing efforts at Southeast Produce Council’s (SEPC) Southern Exposure. According to a press release, Shuman Farms and Healthy Family Project have donated a combined 8 million meals to Feeding America through a host of charitable projects to support families and children facing food insecurity.
“When I first created Healthy Family Project in 2002, my goal was to bring the produce industry together to make a difference,” Shuman reflected. “Each year, as we add more retail partners and sponsors to our efforts, I am humbled and grateful for all of the support the industry has provided. We are truly working together to fight hunger, one meal at a time.”
With the help of its retail partners and other grower/shippers, Shuman Farms has continued its fight against hunger. In 2021, over 65 brands aligned with the Healthy Family Project to back the local communities of 3,848 grocery stores nationwide.
Prior to that, the company set its focus on raising awareness of childhood hunger, as Shuman Farms began shipping its RealSweet® Vidalia® onions in special Feeding America bags in 2019. The supplier also ships its premium RealSweet onions from Peru in Feeding America bags during November and December, another crucial time of year when families often struggle to put food on the table. In 2021, Shuman Farms expanded the program by inviting retail partners to join the company in volunteering at their local food banks and pantries.
“In addition to our bags and bins driving the message at retail, it was great to see the impact our retail partners had in their local communities,” Shuman said.
As the company looks to 2022, Shuman Farms plans to continue its hyper-local efforts, providing additional fresh product donations in the communities of retail partners who engage and support their Feeding America programs in the months of June, November, and December.
To learn more about the supplier’s long history of give-back efforts, you can visit Shuman Farms at booth #918 and Healthy Family Project at booth #1147 during SEPC’s show this weekend or stop by the annual Healthy Family Project reception on March 4 at 5 p.m. on the Cabana Deck at the Dolphin Resort.
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