Tyson Foods Inc. of Springdale said it has donated more than 30 million pounds of food in the past year, which is the most the company has donated in its 85-year history.
The food donations equal more than $65 million in value; Tyson Foods’ fiscal year 2020 concludes at the end of September. In fiscal year 2019, Tyson Foods said it donated 19.7 million pounds of food, which it said represented more than $33.4 million in value.
The food donations were part of the company’s $75 million investment to combat food insecurity. Part of the overall donations stemmed from Tyson Foods’ COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund, which handed out grants and donations to nonprofit organizations.
“Our company is proud to play a critical role in feeding the nation during this challenging time, and we recognize the importance of supporting our team members, their families and our plant communities,” said John R. Tyson, the company’s chief sustainability officer “We’ve focused resources where we can generate the most impact and support organizations doing heroic work at the local level.”
Tyson Foods said it has given $6 million to help its team members and donated approximately 20 million meals to Feed the Children. The company said Feed the Children expanded this year because of the pandemic into communities that had not previously worried about food security issues.
