Candy manufacturer Perfetti Van Melle is donating more than 54,000 pounds of candy to food banks throughout Kentucky, including God’s Pantry Food Bank in Lexington, Feeding America Kentucky’s Heartland in Elizabethtown and Northern Kentucky Area Development District food pantry in Independence.
“Through our Kentucky Hunger Initiative, we mostly highlight donations of fresh, Kentucky farm produce for our food insecure families,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Ryan Quarles. “But being able to bring a ‘sweet’ surprise is rewarding, too.”
While the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s Hunger Initiative is recognized as an all-year project, it is especially relevant during this month as September is Hunger Action Month.
“This donation is a reminder that food banks, which often focus on providing fresh, nutrient-rich foods, can sometimes add an element of surprise to their offerings and put a smile on the faces of those who need it most,” Quarles said.
Although the candy company is headquartered in Italy and the Netherlands, the U.S. operations are based in Erlanger, Kentucky.
“Being based in Kentucky, we’re honored to partner again with the Kentucky Hunger Initiative,” said Sylvia Buxton, president and CEO of Perfetti Van Melle North America. “And donate our products to help the regions foodbanks deliver some of those smiles along with much needed food staples.”
Quarles launched the KDA’s hunger initiative in 2016 to bring together farmers, charitable organizations, faith groups, community leaders and government entities to reduce hunger in Kentucky.
“The food bank appreciates our partnership with Perfetti in helping us reduce hunger by working together to feed Kentucky communities,” said Danielle Bozarth, vice president Mission Delivery at God’s Pantry Food Bank.