Salisbury, Maryland (Monday, November 27, 2023) — As part of a commitment to improve the quality of life in its communities, Perdue Farms has funded the Fruitland Volunteer Fire Company’s new Active Assailant Response (AAR) program “Go Bags” with a $5,200 grant from The Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation.

The donation from Perdue’s charitable giving arm is part of the company’s Delivering Hope to Our Neighbors® outreach to improve quality of life and build strong communities.

The Fruitland Volunteer Fire Company located in Fruitland, Maryland, developed its Active Assailant Response program in response to the growing number of mass shootings across the U.S. The Perdue grant will fund eight “Go Bags” to enable the Company to rapidly assess, treat and triage patients in the event of a mass-casualty shooting. Each of the eight “Go Bags” contain chest seals, bandages, tourniquets, and other life-saving equipment.

“We hope we never have to use any of the equipment in the AAR Go Bags in such circumstances, but when needed we will confidently know that all staff are trained and competent in the use of the equipment,” said Patrick Banks, a paramedic for the Fruitland Volunteer Fire Company. “There has never been a greater time to prepare than now. A failure to prepare would be a disservice and failure to the community we serve and our neighboring communities.”

Kim Nechay, executive director of the Perdue Foundation, applauded the fire department’s foresight and initiative.

“We don’t want to contemplate that this equipment would ever be needed,” she said. “But the fire department’s insight and preparedness show how much it cares for the people it serves.”

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 premium protein portfolio within our Perdue Foods business, including our flagship PERDUE® brand, Niman Ranch®,  Coleman Natural®, and Yummy®, as well as our pet brands, Spot Farms® and Full Moon®, is available through various channels including retail, foodservice, club stores and our direct-to-consumer website, PerdueFarms.com. 

Perdue AgriBusiness is an international agricultural products and services company.  

Now in our company’s second century, 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, pork, beef, and lamb, and in USDA-certified organic chicken and beef. Learn more at Corporate.PerdueFarms.com.