FirstFruits, Food Retailers ‘Take a Bite Out of Hunger’

Apple grower-owned FirstFruits Marketing has launched its third-annual “Take a Bite Out of Hunger” program at select retailers that include Dave’s Marketplace, Sweetbay Supermarket, A&P/Pathmark, United Supermarkets, Ahold USA and J.H. Harveys.

Yakima, Wash.-based FirstFruits created the program to help feed the underserved while raising awareness of food insecurity in the United States. Take a Bite Out of Hunger donates fresh apples in a retailer’s name to area food banks, with the retailer contributing the cost of freight.

“This program is one of our favorites,” said FirstFruits category manager Dennis Jackson. “We enjoy helping our retail partners make these donations and have received great feedback from the food banks that are always appreciative of receiving fresh and healthy produce.”

Last year, more than 250,000 pounds of fresh apples were donated in retailers’ names to designated food banks in their local trade areas.

Take a Bite Out of Hunger provides full retail support through campaign-themed polybags and merchandisers, point-of-sale cards and ad slicks, and a quick response (QR) code on collateral links to a video about hunger.