America's Second Harvest, Newman's Own, Ford Partner for Hunger Relief

Contact:
Susan Hofer, 312-263-2303, ext. 138
Brook Galbraith, Ford Motor Company, 313-323-0646
Kirsten McKamy, Newman's Own, 203-227-7278

Dearborn, MI -- June 18 , 2001 -- America's Second Harvest, Newman's Own and Ford Motor Company announced today a partnership to improve food distribution in rural areas throughout the United States.

The partnership began today with the donation of 14 Ford trucks - six from Newman's Own, eight from Ford - to America's Second Harvest food banks in rural communities across the country. The trucks were launched from Ford Motor Company's World Headquarters and will be put to work as early as next week.

Paul Newman, founder of Newman's Own, Robert Forney, president of America's Second Harvest National Board of Directors, and Bill Ford, chairman of Ford Motor Company, participated in the launch ceremony.

Newman said of the alliance, "It is the beginning of a compelling and rewarding partnership."

Food distribution is a major challenge in rural hunger relief efforts. Some food banks serve areas as large as 5,000 square miles and most do not have reliable vehicles that can reach remote rural areas.

"Ford Motor Company is proud to be associated with such outstanding partners, and such a worthy program," said Bill Ford. "Ford does a lot of work to address hunger and other concerns in urban areas. This partnership will help us reach out to another part of the community that needs our support."

According to Robert Forney, President and CEO, America's Second Harvest, the partnership is innovative and raises awareness to a real concern in rural America.

Forney said, "It is a shame that one in 10 households in our rural areas doesn't have enough to eat. We are pleased that Newman's Own and Ford Motor Company have joined with our many volunteers, faith-based groups, food banks, and food rescue affiliates to deliver fresh food to hungry people across rural America."

In many rural communities in America, poverty and hunger rates are rising. The poverty rate is 23 percent higher than in urban communities and in some areas, it's nearly three times the national average. Some farmers in the U.S. have lived below the poverty line for more than 40 years.

America's Second Harvest is the largest domestic hunger-relief organization in the United States, feeding people in rural, urban and suburban communities. Newman's Own is an all-natural line of food products created by Paul Newman. All after-tax profits from the sale of these products are donated to educational and charitable causes.

The distribution cities are:

Good Shepherd Food Bank - Lewiston, Maine
West Texas Food Bank - Odessa, Texas
Laredo Webb Food Bank - Laredo, Texas
New Hampshire Food Bank - Manchester, N.H.
Black Hills Regional Food Bank - Rapid City, S.D.
Wichita Falls Area Food Bank - Wichita Falls, Texas
Vermont Food Bank - South Barre, Vt.
Montana Food Bank Network - Missoula, Mont.
Second Harvest Roadrunner Food Bank - Albuquerque, N.M.
Second Harvest Food Bank of South Dakota - Sioux Falls, S.D.
Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley - McAllen, Texas
Missoula Food Bank, Inc. - Missoula, Mont.
Connecticut Food Bank - New Haven, Conn.