A&P, FirstFruits ‘Take A Bite Out of Hunger’

The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. (A&P) will donate 39,200 pounds of apples to the Community FoodBank of New Jersey as part of the grocer's ongoing participation in the Take a Bite Out of Hunger Program, sponsored by FirstFruits Marketing of Washington. This donation marks the fourth year that A&P and FirstFruits, a Prescott, Wash.-based collaborative apple marketing company, have teamed to aid local hunger-relief organizations.

"Participating in the Take a Bite Out of Hunger Program gives us the opportunity to support our communities in a novel way," observed A&P President and CEO Paul Hertz. "Most people don't think of donating fresh produce, but it is something that many of our communities are lacking on their shelves. This program provides tangible help to those in need, and being able to donate healthy items, such as fresh apples, can really make a difference in the communities where we work and live."

Noting that A&P is "committed to serving the communities where they do business," FirstFruits' Dennis Jackson said, "Together, we're not only making a donation, but we're also raising awareness of food insecurity in the United States and Canada."

Since the program began in 2010, about 1 million pounds of fresh apples have been donated to local food banks on behalf of participating retailers. This year, more than 10 retailers have joined the effort.

Montvale, N.J.-based A&P operates about 300 stores in six states under the following banners: A&P, Best Cellars, Food Basics, The Food Emporium, Pathmark, Superfresh and Waldbaum's.