C&S Wholesale Grocers Part of the Solution to End Hunger

Keene, NH -  As a demonstration of its commitment to alleviate hunger, C&S Wholesale Grocers announces grants to nine statewide food banks and to America's Second Harvest: The Nation's Food Bank Network. The Company was recently honored with the 2006 "Grocery Distributor of the Year" award at the Annual Meeting of America's Second Harvest.

"We continue to partner with America's Second Harvest and their member food banks where we have distribution centers and associates," said Rick Cohen, C&S Chairman and CEO. "Our Associates share in the company's dedication to be part of the solution to end hunger and to provide funds and food."

Recipients included:

• United Way Community Food Bank, Birmingham Alabama - This donation was made to improve the lighting at the food bank. Approximately 1/3 of the lights in the food bank's 57,000 square foot facility were inoperable, but have been replaced with these funds. Food bank leaders expect that productivity and staff/volunteer morale will improve as a result.
• Long Island Cares/The Harry Chapin Food Bank, Hauppage New York - This grant will be used to support the Community Asset Workforce Development programs. The largest majority of the poor and chronically hungry seeking food assistance on Long Island are low income young women (and their children) and at-risk high school/college students. The workforce development programs are free and aim to break the cycle of poverty.
• Chattanooga Area Food Bank, Chattanooga TN - Support was for the food bank's community gardening program for low income seniors and disabled citizens. The garden includes a greenhouse for year-round growing, and five raised garden plots of elders in wheelchairs. Nutritious food and reduced expenses for an at-risk population are a result.
• Foodshare, Bloomfield CT - Renewed support for the Produce Recovery Program. The food bank has a daily presence at the Connecticut Regional Market, and has a produce donation and repackaging area there. This offers immediate access to donated produce, much of which is distributed by the "Mobile Foodshare" trucks to local public housing complexes and other sites.
• Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, Hatfield MA - Continued support for the Door-to-Door Delivery Program. Through this program, refrigerated Food Bank trucks can more effectively reach clusters of soups kitchens, homeless shelters and other agencies in the same area, thus moving more food faster in a single delivery.
• Hawaii Food Bank, Honolulu HI - Renewed support for the Ohana Produce Program. This initiative brings free, fresh produce to hungry families and individuals on Oahu's leeward (northern) coast, an area that is not in the public eye or frequented by tourists. It is where many homeless people live on the beach in tents or in cars.
• Lehigh Valley Food Bank, Allentown, PA - This grant will be used to support 19 food shelves and meal sites in or around Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Over the course of twelve months, it will result in approx. 150,000 lbs. of food to be distributed in the area free for families and individuals in need.
• Food Bank of Delaware, Newark, DE - A grant to support the distribution of fresh produce to communities that are in pockets of poverty located in Cecil and Caroline Counties, Maryland. The fruits and vegetables will be delivered weekly to soup kitchens, homeless shelters and food pantries.
• Capital Area Food Bank, Washington, DC - Support was provided to five Kids Cafés in Prince George's County. Kids Cafés are an after-school meal program for children in low-income communities. The Cafes provide hearty, healthy snacks and often a full hot meal. The program also offers homework assistance and mentoring.

Additionally, a grant was made to America's Second Harvest: The Nation's Food Bank Network, the country's largest charitable hunger-relief organization, to create and launch the C&S National Children's Nutrition Education Programs. This will entail the development and distribution of standardized nutrition education curriculum for child hunger programs at 200+ food banks and food rescue organizations across the U.S. Over a 2 year period, the C&S National Children's Nutrition Education Programs will impact 30,000 children who participate in Kids Cafés and the innovative BackPack Program.

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