Salisbury, Md. (Thursday, November 29, 2018) — As part of a company commitment to hunger relief, Perdue Farms delivered 70,000 pounds of chicken and announced a $25,000 matching challenge grant to support the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank’s 2018 Farm Fresh Fund during a Tuesday, Nov. ceremony in Verona, Va. The Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation, the charitable giving arm of Perdue Farms, will match dollar for dollar the first $25,000 raised.

The Farm Fresh Fund enables the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, located in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley, to support local farmers and distribute greater quantities and varieties of fresh produce — a benefit for hungry neighbors in need. Providing more fresh produce is also beneficial for clients who struggle with chronic, food-related illnesses such as diabetes or hypertension.

“We are grateful for Perdue’s actions to ensure that the Food Bank can and will continue to provide nutritious, life sustaining produce for our patrons in need,” said Michael McKee, CEO of the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank. “We want our neighbors in need to thrive, and diets rich in nutrients from fresh foods can help them reach their full potential.”

The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank provides nutritious food to 106,000 people each month across 25 counties through a far-reaching network of 200 food pantries, soup kitchens, schools, churches and other non-profit. The Perdue donation will help support many of these programs.

“We don’t have access to a lot of meat proteins, so Perdue has over the years donated more than two million pounds of meat products and it helps of fulfill our mission to our local community,” said Ron Morris, chief operating officer of the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank.

As Jim Dirks, human resources manager at Perdue’s operation in Bridgewater, Va., said, “At Perdue, we understand that being a community partner means doing our part to take care of those struggling with hunger. Our long-standing partnership with the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank provides a platform to bring that commitment to life and help many of our neighbors in need.”

Perdue associates from Bridgewater were also on hand to sort and box more than 3,000 pounds of food for distribution in local communities.

Perdue and the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank have a long-standing hunger relief partnership. Since 2000, Perdue has donated more than 2.6 million pounds of protein or the equivalent of 2.1 million meals.

Supporters can donate to the Farm Fresh Fund by visiting www.brafb.org/give-now/. Learn more about the Farm Fresh Fund at https://www.brafb.org/give/give-food/farm-fresh/.

About the Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation
The Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation, the charitable giving arm of Perdue Farms, was established in 1957 by company founder Arthur W. Perdue and is funded through the estates of Arthur W. Perdue and Frank Perdue. As part of our belief in supporting the communities where and with whom we do business, the Foundation provides grants on behalf of Perdue Farms in communities where large numbers of our associates live and work. At Perdue Farms, we believe in responsible food and agriculture®.

About Perdue Farms
We’re a fourth-generation, family owned, U.S. food and agriculture company. Through our belief in responsible food and agriculture, we are empowering consumers, customers and farmers through trusted choices in products and services.

The PERDUE® brand is the number-one brand of fresh chicken in the U.S., and the company is the leader in organic chicken in the U.S., and Perdue AgriBusiness is an international agricultural products and services company. As we approach our 100th anniversary in 2020, our path forward is about getting better, not just bigger. We never use drugs for growth promotion in raising poultry and livestock, and we are actively advancing our animal welfare programs. Our brands are leaders in no-antibiotics-ever chicken, turkey and pork, and in USDA-certified organic chicken. Learn more at www.perduefarms.com.