Young Farmers proclaim June 3 "Hunger Awareness Day"

» May 25, 2004 «

Young farmers and ranchers in California have declared June 3, Hunger Awareness Day, and the start of a drive to raise funds to help feed the needy throughout the state. The California Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee is holding a "Tip the Scales on Hunger Drive" with participating restaurants, to encourage diners to donate a dollar to help feed the hungry.

Money collected by participating restaurants will help support hunger relief agencies in the state that are affiliated with America's Second Harvest, a nationwide network of more than 200 regional food banks and food rescue organizations.

"We are proud to help the hungry in communities across the state," said YF&R State Chairman Jamie Johansson. "Young farmers took up the effort to support the Harvest for All Campaign last year and they want to do even more in 2004."

In 2003, young farmers in California raised more than $33,000 in cash donations, and donated 647,000 pounds of food and more than 3,300 volunteer hours to local food banks.

"Our members grow high quality food for consumers throughout the year, but we know that despite our abundance, there are people in our communities who don't have enough to eat," said Johansson. "This is one way that we can broaden our roles as farmers and pitch in to meet the needs of the less fortunate. It's a great feeling to give something back to the community that supports us through the year."

The effort by young farmers and ranchers is part of the Harvest for All campaign, operated in conjunction with the American Farm Bureau Federation. Through the America's Second Harvest network, food is distributed to 23 million Americans each year in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

Donation envelopes are available to diners at local restaurants. (For names of participating restaurants in your area, contact your county Farm Bureau.) Donors should make their tax-deductible checks payable to America's Second Harvest, C/O California Farm Bureau Federation, 2300 River Plaza Drive, Sacramento, CA 95833.

More information about the California YF&R hunger awareness campaign is available at www.cfbf.com/ . Information about America's Second Harvest is available at www.secondharvest.org

The CFBF Young Farmers and Ranchers program encourages members 18 to 35 to be active in a variety of agricultural leadership areas. Interested members can contact their county Farm Bureau for details.

Contact: Dave Kranz
Phone: 916/561-5550
news@cfbf.com

Permission for use is granted, however, credit must be made to the California Farm Bureau Federation when reprinting this item.