America's Second Harvest, Paul Newman, Ford Motor Company Strengthen Commitment to End Hunger

Over Ten Million Pounds of Food Delivered to Date

DEARBORN, Mich. --- October 25, 2004 --- America's Second Harvest—The Nation's Food Bank Network, Paul Newman and Ford Motor Company have partnered for the fourth consecutive year to provide trucks and food to 12 food banks to help address the issue of hunger in America.   This year's donation brings the total vehicles in operation to 50.  Since its founding in 2001, the partnership's trucks have traveled over 1,000,000 miles and have distributed over ten million pounds of food to rural areas in need.

The USDA reports that the poverty rate for non-metropolitan areas is higher than in metro areas, 14 % vs. 11%; in addition, 2.6 million children living in rural areas are poor, accounting for 35 percent of the entire rural poverty population.  Of the nation's 386 rural counties, 340 counties have persistent poverty rates.

These refrigerated trucks will help get fresh and nutritious food into hard-to-reach communities that are often underserved.  Often, many fresh foods, such as produce and meats, cannot be delivered due to lack of refrigeration during long delivery routes.

Paul Newman said of the alliance, "This has been a compelling and rewarding partnership. We are proud to partner with America's Second Harvest and Ford."

"Ford Motor Company is proud to partner with America's Second Harvest and Paul Newman to help improve food distribution in our communities," said Tim O'Brien, vice president Corporate Relations.  "Supporting our communities is part of Ford's heritage and it is an important component of our corporate culture."

According to Robert Forney, President and CEO, America's Second Harvest, "The latest Census figures confirm that poverty and unemployment rates are as high, if not higher in rural America than in metropolitan areas. It's shameful that so many people need to turn to a hunger-relief program in their community just to eat in the very same communities where the food is raised," said Forney.
 
America's Second Harvest is the largest domestic hunger-relief organization in the United States, feeding people in rural, urban and suburban communities.

Paul Newman, as sole owner of Newman's Own, donates all his profits and royalties after taxes for educational and charitable purposes.  Paul Newman has given over $150 million to thousands of charities since 1982.

The cities receiving this year's trucks are:

• Capital Area Food Bank, Austin, Texas
• Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee, Gray
• Gleaners Community Food Bank Serving Southeast Michigan
• Tri State Food Bank, Evansville, Indiana
• Great Plains Food Bank, Fargo
• God's Pantry Food Bank, Lexington, Kentucky
• Middle Georgia Food Bank, Macon
• Food Bank of Northern Indiana, South Bend
• South Plains Food Bank, Lubbock, Texas
• America's Second Harvest of Greater St Joseph, St. Joseph, Missouri
• The Community Food Bank of Tucson, Arizona
• Kansas Foodbank Warehouse, Wichita

For more information on Newman's Own, please visit www.newmansown.com.

Media Contacts:
Ford Motor Company
Kathleen Vokes, 313/322-9210
Newman's Own
Kirsten McKamy/Michael Havard, 203-222-0136