Chobani sends first truckload of food donations to Nourish New York program
Representatives from Chobani, Department of Agriculture and Markets, and the Chenango County Farm Bureau came together to celebrate the first shipment of Chobani products to help food banks as apart of the new Nourish New York program. (Photo by Catherine Sasso)
NEW BERLIN – Thursday, Chobani sent their first aid shipment that is going to supply food banks with much needed dairy products, as a part of the new Nourish New York program.
According to Chobani Spokesman John Kell, Governor Andrew Cuomo launched the $25 million Nourish New York program in late April. The State is providing funding to New York food banks so they can purchase excess products, such as fruits and vegetables from New York farmers and surplus dairy products from New York dairy manufacturers, to distribute directly to communities.
The majority of funding will be used to purchase dairy products and Chobani is among the dairy processing partners that will be participating in the program.
Although this is the first truck to deliver product as a part of the Nourish New York program, Chobani has sent about 3 million cups of yogurt all over the country to help stock food banks.
Chobani Director of Corporate and Community Affairs Mark Broadhurst, said during the kick off event, “We are really proud to celebrate 30 trucks that have gone to food banks all across the country, coast to coast. I think in the last week we had some trucks in Washington State, California, Georgia, Florida, and North Carolina. 30 trucks and 3 million cups this week of donated Chobani product to food banks in need. So we're really proud of the efforts and really proud of all the people in this plant because we couldn't do that without them.”
Dave Valesky, Deputy Commissioner of the New York Department of Agriculture and Markets, said the connection of food banks with Upstate New York farmers was the clear choice.
“We have seen since this pandemic has gone on, an unprecedented demand at food banks around the state. We have seen our incredible farmers across the state of New York having excess food product. With the closing of schools, restaurants, and other facilities the markets are just not there. So you've got excess product and an incredible demand, how do you put that together? This is a $25 million initiative to bring New York products, fruits, vegetables, from Upstate New York to the hardest hit areas in the state,” said Valesky.
President of Chenango County Farm Bureau Bradd Vickers stated that they have been working with legislatures and local businesses to get rid of caps on the number of dairy products a person can purchase at the grocery store.
“We've had legislatures working with us to try to remove restrictions from grocery stores and food suppliers that aren't allowing consumers to buy all that they would like. Looking at what's going on today, that's going to help relieve that supply chain and get more products out there and help our farmers down the road. I want to acknowledge what I see as a privilege of having Chobani based here in Chenango County. It's fantastic having them here and working with them over the years,” said Vickers.
Nathan Gundlach, Vice President of Operations at Chobani’s South Edmeston plant attributes the plant’s ability to give back to being a part of a dedicated community.
“We're fortunate enough to be a part of such a great community where we have these truly dedicated employees that have, throughout this entire situation, worked tirelessly and recognized our role and commitment as a critical food supplier. Without our local farms who continue to provide us with such high quality milk that we've become known for in this region, we couldn't have done it without them either,” said Gundlach.
According to Chobani Spokesman John Kell, Governor Andrew Cuomo launched the $25 million Nourish New York program in late April. The State is providing funding to New York food banks so they can purchase excess products, such as fruits and vegetables from New York farmers and surplus dairy products from New York dairy manufacturers, to distribute directly to communities.
The majority of funding will be used to purchase dairy products and Chobani is among the dairy processing partners that will be participating in the program.
Although this is the first truck to deliver product as a part of the Nourish New York program, Chobani has sent about 3 million cups of yogurt all over the country to help stock food banks.
Chobani Director of Corporate and Community Affairs Mark Broadhurst, said during the kick off event, “We are really proud to celebrate 30 trucks that have gone to food banks all across the country, coast to coast. I think in the last week we had some trucks in Washington State, California, Georgia, Florida, and North Carolina. 30 trucks and 3 million cups this week of donated Chobani product to food banks in need. So we're really proud of the efforts and really proud of all the people in this plant because we couldn't do that without them.”
Dave Valesky, Deputy Commissioner of the New York Department of Agriculture and Markets, said the connection of food banks with Upstate New York farmers was the clear choice.
“We have seen since this pandemic has gone on, an unprecedented demand at food banks around the state. We have seen our incredible farmers across the state of New York having excess food product. With the closing of schools, restaurants, and other facilities the markets are just not there. So you've got excess product and an incredible demand, how do you put that together? This is a $25 million initiative to bring New York products, fruits, vegetables, from Upstate New York to the hardest hit areas in the state,” said Valesky.
President of Chenango County Farm Bureau Bradd Vickers stated that they have been working with legislatures and local businesses to get rid of caps on the number of dairy products a person can purchase at the grocery store.
“We've had legislatures working with us to try to remove restrictions from grocery stores and food suppliers that aren't allowing consumers to buy all that they would like. Looking at what's going on today, that's going to help relieve that supply chain and get more products out there and help our farmers down the road. I want to acknowledge what I see as a privilege of having Chobani based here in Chenango County. It's fantastic having them here and working with them over the years,” said Vickers.
Nathan Gundlach, Vice President of Operations at Chobani’s South Edmeston plant attributes the plant’s ability to give back to being a part of a dedicated community.
“We're fortunate enough to be a part of such a great community where we have these truly dedicated employees that have, throughout this entire situation, worked tirelessly and recognized our role and commitment as a critical food supplier. Without our local farms who continue to provide us with such high quality milk that we've become known for in this region, we couldn't have done it without them either,” said Gundlach.
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