Local Egg Producer to Donate 300,000 Eggs to Food Banks in Arizona

Donation Effort is Part of an Overall Donation of 700,000 Eggs Feeding Families in Four States

ARIZONA – Leading up to the Easter holiday, food banks across the state as well as in Hawaii, Nevada and Colorado will be receiving approximately 700,000 eggs from Hickman’s Family Farms – Arizona’s only commercial egg producer. The donation is a long-time Hickman’s family tradition before Easter and has been part of United Egg Producers contribution to Feeding America’s national campaign for the past three years.

“We have decades of making egg deliveries to food banks at Easter time, but the official standardized program with United Egg Producers began three years ago,” said Clint Hickman, vice president of sales and marketing for Hickman’s. “Our average donation at Easter is around 700,000 eggs — and year round to different organizations combined is approximately one million eggs.”

The donation will provide food-insecure people with much needed high-quality protein, which helps kids and adults build muscle strength, helps older adults prevent muscle loss, and may also promote weight management. “We are very pleased that Hickman’s Family Farms has again decided to donate these much needed eggs to Arizona’s food banks,” said Ginny Hildebrand, President & CEO of the Association of Arizona Food Banks. “Food banks are experiencing a tremendous increase in demand right now, and will ensure these eggs end up on the plates of families in need throughout the state.”

Eggs are scheduled to be delivered at five different food banks in Arizona that distribute throughout the communities they serve:

• Tucson, Community Food Bank — March 22 at 10 a.m.
• Phoenix – St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance — March 23 at 9 a.m.
• Yuma Community Food Bank – March 24 at 10 a.m.
• Flagstaff – St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance – March 24 at 11 a.m.
• Mesa – United Food Bank — April 1 at 10 a.m.

Each month, over 90,000 emergency food boxes are distributed to hungry households in Arizona. Each box provides a 3-5 day supply of food, which can be a lifesaver to those hit hardest by a tough economy, unemployment, and state budget cuts. Most indicators show Arizona’s food banks are experiencing a 40% or more increase in demand versus the same time last year. In Arizona, 41% of those who receive emergency food are children under 18 and seniors.

Published on behalf of the Association of Arizona Food Banks
Established in 1984, the Association of Arizona Food Banks is a private, non-profit organization serving five-member regional food bank warehouses (Community Food Bank, Desert Mission Food Bank, St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance, United Food Bank, Yuma Community Food Bank) and a network of nearly 1,700 food pantries and agencies. As one of the first state associations in the nation, AAFB was instrumental in the development of a statewide gleaning project, and our advocacy efforts have brought about beneficial state and federal legislation for our member food banks and the people they serve. For more information, to find a food bank or pantry in your area, or to learn more about donation and volunteer opportunities, please visit www.azfoodbanks.org.

About Hickman’s Family Farms
Celebrating 66 years, Hickman’s Family Farms has been family-owned and operated in Arizona since 1944. Beginning with a flock of less than 500 in Grandma Hickman’s back yard, by 1993 Hickman’s was left standing as the only Arizona egg producer with chickens and a USDA-inspected processing plant. Hickman’s currently operates three production facilities in Arizona, which house a combined total of close to five million chickens. Despite its massive growth, Hickman’s Family Farms remains committed to supplying fresh product at competitive prices. For more information visit: www.hickmanseggs.com.

About United Egg Producers
United Egg Producers (UEP) is the nation’s leading trade association for U.S. egg farmers, representing 97 percent of U.S. egg farmers, whose members produce eggs including modern cage production, cage-free, free range, organic and other specialty eggs. UEP is based in Alpharetta, GA. To learn more about the egg industry visit www.uepcertified.com.

About Feeding America (Formerly America’s Second Harvest – The Nation’s Food Bank Network)
Feeding America provides low-income individuals and families with the fuel to survive and even thrive. As the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief charity, our network members supply food to more than 25 million Americans each year, including 9 million children and 3 million seniors. Serving the entire United States, more than 200 member food banks distribute food to over 90,000 feeding sites operated by over 63,000 agencies that address hunger in all of its forms. For more information on how you can fight hunger in your community and across the country, visit www.feedingamerica.org.

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