Press Releases
Sk Foods Completes Giant Delivery to Foodlink for Tulare County
One million cans of tomatoes to benefit needy food banks throughout California
"Donations are way down this year. The main factor is the economy and the price of trucking, so companies are less likely to give this year than they have in the past, which makes this donation that much more spectacular," said Ted Torres, operations manager of FoodLink for Tulare County. "Food banks across the state are really grateful to SK Foods - they have given great donations in the past and continue to do so."
Statewide, SK Foods is donating close to one million 15 oz. cans of diced tomatoes to help replenish supplies at California food banks, diminishing due to the rising costs of food and fuel. The retail value of the donation is well over $1 million.
The SK Foods donation constitutes one of the five largest food bank donations in the state's history, according to Bill Foltz, food solicitor for Second Harvest Food Bank, who is helping to coordinate distribution of the diced tomatoes. "It's a great product and has such versatility to it. This outstanding donation comes at a time when our food banks are scrambling desperately for donations," explained Foltz.
Deliveries to food banks began June 5, with a truck dropping off approximately 35,000 cans of tomatoes to the San Francisco Food Bank. The Food Bank for Monterey County, where SK Foods is based, received its first truckload of canned tomatoes on Monday. Additional deliveries are planned next week at food banks in Fresno, Alameda, Redwood Empire (in Santa Rosa), and San Joaquin (in Manteca). SK Foods will provide all transportation and cover freight costs, a tremendous added value to the food banks.
"The world food shortages are right here in our backyard," said SK Foods Chief Executive Officer Scott Salyer. "We hope other food companies will follow our lead and help the food banks." SK Foods, based in Monterey, California, is owned and operated by the Salyer family, which has successfully farmed diversified crops on a large scale in California's Central Valley since the early 1900s.
FoodLink for Tulare County, a nonprofit organization, has been working to end hunger in Tulare County since 1978. FoodLink warehouses and distributes millions of pounds of food annually to a network of more than 80 local nonprofit agencies, which directly feed needy families. For more information please visit www.foodlinktc.org.
About SK Foods
SK Foods is one of the world's leading processors of tomato and vegetable products for re-manufacturers, retail and foodservice marketers. Established in 1990, SK Foods is part of the SK Foods Group of companies, with headquarters in Monterey, California, and processing facilities at locations in California, New Zealand, and Australia. For more information please visit www.skfoods.com.