US Foods Invests in Community Initiatives
Distributor US Foods revealed Monday a philanthropic investment of nearly $2 million as part of the company’s 2024 “Helping Communities Make It” program. The funding will enable new and innovative initiatives across the company’s three strategic community-giving pillars: hunger relief, culinary education, and disaster relief, according to the company.
“As an extension of our promise to help our customers Make It, our Helping Communities Make It program will harness the power of food to empower communities in need with nourishment and opportunity,” said Dave Flitman, CEO of US Foods, in a statement. “As our communities face high rates of food insecurity, educational and job-training hardships, and the immediate and long-term consequences of natural disasters, our investment is a major step forward in our effort to meet our communities’ growing needs.
The distributor will participate in the following initiatives:
• Hunger Relief: This year, US Foods will pursue innovative hunger-relief programming with its long-standing partner, Feeding America, as well as new partnerships focused on feeding veterans and military families.
• Culinary Education: With the national need for cooks and chefs projected to rise 25 percent by 2030, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the company will expand its US Foods Scholars program to students nationwide; US Foods will offer 18 culinary students $20,000 scholarships from US Foods.
• Disaster Relief: As a new 2024 American Red Cross Disaster Responder Program member, the company’s increased investment will provide year-round disaster relief support to provide the Red Cross with the resources needed to quickly mobilize before disaster strikes.
The distributor will also continue to hold its company-wide giving events, including a two-week “Spring into Service” volunteer event, a celebration of Hunger Action Month in support of Feeding America’s nationwide initiative, and a monthlong “Giving Gratitude” holiday drive to fight food insecurity.