Last updated on September 19th, 2022 at 09:59 am
Landover, Maryland-based Giant Food is teaming up with Avocados from Peru to donate a trailer of more than 40,000 pounds of summer avocados to Feeding America network members Capital Area Food Bank in Northeast Washington, D.C., and the Maryland Food Bank in Baltimore, Maryland. Both deliveries will take place on National Avocado Day on Friday, July 31.
These donations will make the “superfood” more accessible to area families during these challenging times. Depending on their size, that’s more than 120,000 avocados.
“The impact of COVID-19 has been swift and unprecedented. It is therefore a privilege for Avocados from Peru to partner with Giant Food to support people who might be struggling to feed their families during the unparalleled crisis affecting our local communities,” said Xavier Equihua, president and CEO of the Peruvian Avocado Commission.
“Avocados are not only a versatile ingredient that can be used for anything from breakfast to sweet or savory dishes. They also make us feel good and are nutritionally dense, packed with vitamins, minerals and healthy mono-saturated fats,” said Lisa Coleman, director of healthy living at Giant Food. “We are excited to be able to provide this superfood as part of our ongoing efforts to make sure that all families in our community have access to healthy food options.”
Need for emergency food critical
“The current need for emergency food is unlike anything we’ve experienced in our 40-year history,” said Radha Muthiah, president and CEO of the Capital Area Food Bank. “With the dramatic decline in retail donations that’s occurred as a result of the pandemic, we’re so thankful to be receiving a truckload of healthy, easy-to-distribute food that’s also culturally relevant for many of the people we serve. Avocados from Peru is making a big difference for many of the thousands of families in our region that are struggling to put meals on the table right now.”
The Capital Area Food Bank delivery will feature one of the Peruvian Brothers’ famous food trucks. Capital Area Food Bank staff also will receive a boxed meal made with Avocados from Peru.
“COVID-related demand has reached unprecedented levels, so this donation of high-quality produce could not have come at a better time,” said Maryland Food Bank President and CEO Carmen Del Guercio. “We appreciate Giant’s longstanding partnership and their willingness to join with companies like Avocados from Peru to expand their philanthropic efforts even further. These nutrient-rich avocados will be a welcome addition to the product mix we make available to our network of community partners all over Maryland.”
Avocados from Peru, also known as the summer avocado, are available in all Giant Food stores through September, the peak season for the superfood. Throughout the summer, Giant shoppers also will have free access to AFP’s new e-cookbook, “Avocados in Bloom,” featuring more than 50 recipes, photos and tips for using avocados, as well as nutritional information. In-store displays at Giant also will feature “ripening tips.”
Now more than ever, consumers are seeking ways to maintain their health and provide their families with nutritious food. Giant continues to show its dedication to keeping local communities healthy and promoting access to the food they need.
To learn more about Giant’s efforts to support hunger relief and the needs of its communities during this challenging time, visit Giantfood.com.
Giant Food operates 163 supermarkets in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and the District of Columbia with approximately 20,000 associates. Included within the 163 stores are 153 full-service pharmacies, 81 full-service PNC Banks and 23 Starbucks locations.
