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Land O’Lakes donates 36,000 pounds of cheese to Ozarks Food Harvest

Land O’Lakes donates 36,000 pounds of cheese to Ozarks Food Harvest

December 29, 2015

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Land O’Lakes, Inc. donated 36,000 pounds of Land O’ Lakes cheese to Ozarks Food Harvest in Springfield, Missouri today.

This is the Land O’Lakes First Run Program’s 92nd donation since it was established in 2010. The program is committed to donating truckloads of fresh product year round, made specifically for food banks to help alleviate hunger nationwide.

“As a national, farmer-owned cooperative, Land O’Lakes is committed to help the growing number of people who struggle to put food on their table,” said Land O’Lakes Foundation Executive Director Lydia Botham. “The First Run program provides a unique opportunity for Land O’Lakes to provide a fresh, nutritious product for families to enjoy.”

In southwest Missouri, one in six individuals, and one in four children, are food insecure, making corporate food donations crucial to feed people struggling with hunger. Ozarks Food Harvest is the only food bank in southwest Missouri, serving 28 counties and distributing 14 million meals to more than 260,000 unduplicated children, families and seniors every year.

“Protein-rich food items, including dairy products like cheese, are at the top of our holiday wish list. This gift comes at an ideal time for us and for our network of 200 agencies who directly support to people in need,” said Ozarks Food Harvest Development and Communication Director Denise Gibson. “We are thankful for Land O’ Lakes’ support of hunger relief here in the Ozarks.”

The First Run program is part of Land O’Lakes’ Feeding Our Communities initiative.  For more information on any of these programs, visit the Land O’Lakes Foundation web page at www.landolakesinc.com.

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About the Land O’Lakes Foundation
The Land O’Lakes Foundation was established in 1996 and is made possible by support from Land O’Lakes, Inc.  The Foundation awards community grants to projects that develop and strengthen organizations dedicated to hunger relief, education and the community.

About Land O’Lakes, Inc.
Land O’Lakes, Inc., one of America’s premier agribusiness and food companies, is a member-owned cooperative with industry-leading operations that span the spectrum from farm production to consumer foods. The company does business in all 50 states and more than 60 countries. Land O’Lakes, Inc. corporate headquarters are located in Arden Hills, Minn.

About Ozarks Food Harvest—The Food Bank
Ozarks Food Harvest is the Feeding America food bank for southwest Missouri, serving more than 200 organizations across 28 Ozarks counties. The Food Bank distributes 14 million meals annually to more than 260,000 unduplicated individuals. Learn more at ozarksfoodharvest.org, facebook.com/ozarksfoodharvest or twitter.com/ozksfoodharvest.