Land O' Lakes Foundation Launches Program to Fight Rural Hunger
New Program Targets Rural Hunger
On Nov. 4 The Land O'Lakes Foundation, located in Arden Hills, Minn. announced the establishment of a new program called Feeding Our Communities, that focuses specifically on helping alleviate hunger in rural America.
The program, which includes direct and matching grants, has the potential to generate up to an additional $1 million for hunger-related initiatives in rural communities.
In a press release, foundation officials said Feeding Our Communities is a very focused and strategic approach to the growing issue of rural hunger.
"There is a tendency to underestimate the impact of hunger in rural communities," Land O'Lakes Foundation Executive Director Lydia Botham said. "But the fact is, the percentage of rural households that are food insecure matches, or even exceeds, the percentage of urban
households. As a farmer-owned cooperative, Land O'Lakes is committed to addressing the quality of life in rural communities."
As part of the Feeding Our Communities initiative, the Land O'Lakes Foundation Board of Directors has approved funding for a program with the potential to generate up to an additional $1 million for hunger-related programs in rural communities - delivered through a combination of direct grants and the Foundation's Member Co-op Match Program.
"The Feeding Our Communities grant program represents a direct response to the increased need we are seeing in today's challenging economy," Land O'Lakes Foundation Board Chairman Jim Hager said. "It channels financial resources into the communities where our members live, work, farm and do business. It represents a very focused approach to a very significant, and growing, need. Just as important, it involves member- cooperatives in identifying and addressing needs within their local communities."
Hager noted that Land O'Lakes member-cooperatives have not only been informed of the matching grants program, but that tools to help promote the program and identify hunger-focused local agencies and initiatives and complete grant applications also have been made available.
"We want to make it as easy as possible to participate ... and make a positive difference across rural America," Hager said.
Here is some company provided information about the company.
Land O'Lakes, Inc. (www.landolakesinc.com) is a national, farmer-owned food and agricultural cooperative with 2008 annual sales of $12 billion.
Land O'Lakes is a Fortune 250 company which does business in all 50 states and more than 50 countries. It is a leading marketer of a full line of dairy-based consumer, foodservice and food ingredient products across the United States; serves its international customers with a variety of food and animal feed ingredients; and provides farmers and ranchers with an extensive line of agricultural supplies (feed, seed, and crop protection products) and services. Land O'Lakes also provides agricultural assistance and technical training in more than 25 developing nations.
The Land O'Lakes Foundation is committed to improving the quality of life in communities where Land O'Lakes Inc. has members, employees, plants and facilities. Land O'Lakes Foundation proactively helps rural communities prosper and prepare for tomorrow by donating resources that develop and strengthen organizations dedicated to human service, education and youth, civic and art endeavors.
Published by Marie Lowe
I have a degree in journalism and work for a daily newspaper. In 2005 I was honored as the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Journalist of the Year. Have just entered the fourth year of my mother's battle with ovarian... View profile
- The Role of the Community in Early Rural New EnglandThe communities played an essential role in the life of the family, from helping to maintain social order to helping to maintain order within the family.
- Concept of Community Radio in Development of Rural EntrepreneursConclusively, the concept of "Community Radio" is the concept need to be accomplished by the people and for the people. This can prove to be very close to the mind of rural entrepreneurs and may make them aware, educa...
- Business Tips for Boutique Owners in Rural AreasThe fashion and arts scene is rapidly expanding in rural areas. As such, business owners no longer have to pack up and make pilgrimages to New York City to open successful boutiques.
- Wireless Broadband Service Coming to Rural AmericaOver 6 million rural residents will soon have access to wireless broadband Internet services as part of the USDA's Rural Development Program
- Ecovillages and Intentional CommunitiesYou may never have heard of an ecovillage, but these small communities exist all over the country.
- Fight Hunger in the United States
- Ending Child Hunger: School Feeding in Benin
- Ending Child Hunger: School Feeding in Afghanistan
- The Voice of Eatonville
- The Benefits of Young Demographics for Rural Communities in America
- Hunger in Our Communities
- Older Residents and Their Demographic Effect on Rural Communities
12 Comments
Post a CommentThis is pretty cool. If they can do this, we all can do something.
Nice to know. Thanks, Marie.
I didn't know they were a "Farmer-owned cooperative"....
greaat reporting and raising awareness
Excellent reporting on this wonderful cause and initiative! Thanks! :)
Nice report!
Great reporting and it is a wonderful thing that Land O' Lakes is doing.
I always feel bad when I see charities give to other countries and ignore the hungry here. Often the money goes to the government of the country and not directly to the people. Even when it does, I always feel like charity should begin at home. I'm buying more land-o-lakes butter and spending a few cents more than the generic. They do good things.
Great one!
Good work... great to hear about things like this.