news release

Treasure Coast Food Bank has received a grant from Publix Super Markets Charities that will help to bring in an additional 2 million pounds of nutritious fruits and vegetables – the equivalent of 1.6 million meals – for people in need of food.

The $130,000 grant will help Treasure Coast Food Bank to acquire fresh produce from local and regional Florida farmers and growers and be able to provide both the fresh produce and products made from it year-round to individuals facing hunger.

“We believe it’s important to provide food that is nutritious and healthy, and there’s no better way to do that than by providing fresh fruits and vegetables straight from our Florida growers,” said Judith Cruz, President and CEO of Treasure Coast Food Bank. “This grant will help us bring in significantly more produce so that we can continue to distribute it year-round, and we are very grateful to Publix Super Markets Charities for helping us alleviate hunger on the Treasure Coast.”

More than half of all the food distributed by Treasure Coast Food Bank is fresh produce. It is a vital part of ensuring that the meals it provides are not only filling, but healthy. Treasure Coast Food Bank provides produce through several direct service programs, including Mobile Pantries, Order Ahead, Market Fresh on the Move, and Home Delivery. In addition, it provides fruits and vegetables to its 300 partner agencies to distribute to people in need of food throughout Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin, and Okeechobee counties.

With the grant, Treasure Coast Food Bank plans to work with local and regional farmers, growers, packers, and retailers to obtain an additional 2 million pounds of produce – the equivalent of 1.6 million meals – to ensure produce and value-added products such as soups and sauces made in Treasure Coast Food Bank’s Food Production Kitchen, are available throughout the year.

“Hunger relief continues to be a cornerstone of our community efforts, and it’s our privilege to support organizations throughout the Southeast,” said Publix CEO Todd Jones. “We are grateful for the opportunity to support Treasure Coast Food Bank and to alleviate hunger in the communities we serve and put food on the tables of our neighbors in need.”

The $130,000 donation from Publix Charities to Treasure Coast Food Bank is one of several donations made this year to help provide food and other essential support to people facing hunger. In all, Publix Charities has donated $5.65 million to Feeding America member food banks and other nonprofit partners in 2022.

Publix is a longtime supporter of Treasure Coast Food Bank, and during Hunger Action Month, more than 100 Publix associates volunteered their time. They painted the warehouse and offices, sorted food donations, and built senior food boxes at Treasure Coast Food Bank’s Fort Pierce warehouse.

ABOUT TREASURE COAST FOOD BANK

Treasure Coast Food Bank is the only food bank and largest hunger relief organization on Florida’s Treasure Coast, providing the community each year with millions of meals valued at more than $50 million through robust programs and in partnership with 300 charitable organizations in Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin, and Okeechobee counties. In addition to emergency food distribution, Treasure Coast Food Bank operates a full roster of direct service programs that not only solve the immediate problem of hunger, but help individuals and families gain long-term food security, better health outcomes, and self-sufficiency. Treasure Coast Food Bank is a member of Feeding America, the nationwide network of 200 food banks that leads the fight against hunger in the United States. For more information on Treasure Coast Food Bank, call 772.489.3034, log on to stophunger.org, visit our Facebook page at facebook.com/tcfoodbank, or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/tcfoodbank.

ABOUT PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS CHARITIES

George Jenkins, founder of Publix Super Markets and affectionately known as “Mr. George,” believed in giving. From the day he opened his first Publix, he made sure his associates, customers and community were taken care of. In 1966, Mr. George established the Foundation with the vision it would continue giving long after he was gone. Publix Super Markets Charities remains committed to serving the communities in which Publix operates. To learn more, visit www.publixcharities.org.

ABOUT PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS

Publix, the largest employee-owned company in the U.S. with more than 230,000 associates, currently operates 1,305 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia. For 25 consecutive years, the company has been recognized by Fortune as a great place to work. In addition, Publix’s dedication to superior quality and customer service is recognized among the top in the grocery business. For more information, visit the company’s newsroom at corporate.publix.com/newsroom.