Bayer and other organizations across the food chain host symposium focused on fruits & vegetables for hunger alleviation programs

Date:04-30-2024

One of the biggest challenges for those working in the food insecurity space is getting fruits and vegetables to the families that need them. Bayer Vegetable Seeds, along with collaborators Community Food Share, Food Forward Inc. and International Fresh Produce Association, hosted a joint symposium to focus on fresh produce in hunger relief organizations to help address this very problem. 

The group of industry experts came together to discuss the challenges and opportunities hunger relief organizations face, specifically as it relates to incorporating fresh fruits and vegetables into their programs.

"Today's symposium underscores the vital role of collaboration in tackling food insecurity. Our top priority is ensuring that our community members have access to nutritious food,″ said Kim Da Silva, CEO Community Food Share. ″With industry leaders and hunger relief organizations joining forces to ensure every family has access to nutritious fruits and vegetables, we're not just addressing immediate needs but laying the groundwork for lasting solutions."

Key opportunities that came to the forefront were centered around increased collaboration across the supply chain continuum, creating awareness of the barriers to access and solutions to overcome the challenges.

Food insecurity affects every county in the United States. The most recent numbers show that over 44 million people, including 1 in 5 children, faced hunger. To combat this issue, hunger relief organizations such as food banks, pantries, community groups, and growers collaborate to address food insecurity. In 2023, these organizations assisted 49 million people, 14.7% of the US population.

″Our commitment to recovering and redistributing surplus fresh fruits and vegetables at scale directly supports the goal of ending hunger and building healthier communities," said Rick Nahmias, Founder and CEO of Food Forward. "By expanding our reach, we can ensure that more people and more families throughout Southern California and across the region have access to the nutrition they need and deserve, while also making a tangible difference in the environmental impact of food loss."

Inci Dannenberg, President of Bayer Vegetable Seeds, sits on the Board of the International Fresh Produce Association and the Foundation for Fresh Produce. In that capacity she engages in improving the appeal of fruit and vegetables as an integral part of people’s diets, supporting the development of infrastructure and supply chain solutions that provide easier access, and establishing strategic alliances that enable children and families to form healthier eating habits.

″At Bayer, we are continuing our collaboration with all facets of the food system to identify challenges and opportunities to introduce more fruits and vegetables into diets,″ said Dannenberg.″ This symposium was a great step to focus on hunger relief organizations and the role they play.″