Tyson Foods Unveils Disaster Relief Mobile Feeding Unit
NEW YORK - April 27, 2012 - Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE:
TSN), which has a history of feeding first responders and
survivors in the aftermath of disasters such as 9-11 and
the tornados and flooding of 2011, today unveiled a special
mobile feeding unit equipped to enhance the company's
disaster relief efforts.
The 53-foot semi-trailer premiered this morning in
New York City during a live segment on "Fox & Friends,"
cable TV's top-ranked morning news show.
The trailer will serve as a central supply unit at
disaster sites to support the feeding efforts of multiple
Tyson "cook teams" that bring grills and Tyson volunteers
to help feed those in need.
The trailer is outfitted with enough refrigerated
space to store up to 20,000 pounds of chicken, beef or
pork, a 5,500-watt generator and satellite communications.
It also bears the new name of Tyson Foods'
disaster relief feeding program, "Meals that Matter," which
reflects the company's long-standing practice of feeding
disaster survivors and relief workers.
"For decades we've responded to disasters in or near
our plant communities in 26 states by doing what we do
best: feeding people," said John Tyson, Chairman of Tyson
Foods. "When disasters strike, our team
members mobilize and bring in grills, food and volunteers
to help out, sometimes for multiple days or even weeks.
Our new 'Meals that Matter' truck will help
those teams by giving them all the supplies they need to
make it easier to help."
With the exception of a grill, the "Meals that
Matter" unit has everything needed to set up and run a
cooking site including: full refrigeration,
tents and lights, sanitation equipment, cooking and serving
supplies, a generator, hydraulic lift and even a Wi-Fi hot
spot for internet connections via satellite.
Mobile grills will be supplied, as needed, by
Tyson's plant locations. More than 40 plant
sites are currently capable of responding to disasters by
sending grills and Tyson volunteers to cook food.
(VIDEO: Broadcast quality video of the disaster
relief mobile feeding unit can be downloaded from the
following site: http://youtu.be/5EW5UXk1knQ.
A brief video with information about the unit
can be seen by going to:http://youtu.be/ke24EsLJZZY).
Tyson Foods will work closely with the American Red
Cross during future disaster relief efforts.
In February, Tyson signed a formal statement
of collaboration with the Red Cross, agreeing to become a
Disaster Responder Partner of the organization.
"We are grateful for partners like Tyson Foods,
who help us prepare for disasters whenever and wherever
they may strike," said Charley Shimanski, senior vice
president of Disaster Services of the American Red Cross.
"Thanks to their generous support, we can feed,
shelter and provide emotional support to individuals and
families, when communities need us most."
On average, Tyson is involved in responding to four
to five major disasters each year. In recent
years, the company has provided between $300,000 and
$500,000 annually in food and financial support to disaster
relief.
About 150 Tyson employees from seven states were
deployed to northern Alabama in 2011 to help in the
aftermath of tornadoes that moved through the region a year
ago today. They served 270,000 pounds of food,
donated ice and water and provided diesel fuel to poultry
farmers who had to operate their farms with generators.
When a tornado tore through Joplin, Mo.,
in May 2011, killing more than 160 people, Tyson relief
teams arrived on-site in less than 24 hours to provide more
than 120,000 pounds of food to local survivors and relief
workers.
Tyson Foods also has taken great measures to end
hunger outside of disaster relief. Since 2000, Tyson has
donated 86 million pounds of much-needed protein to
hundreds of food banks, food pantries and relief agencies
in 48 states. In 2011 Tyson helped fund the
largest and most comprehensive study ever conducted on
attitudes and perceptions of hunger. The study found that
one in four Americans worry about having enough money to
put food on the table.
Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN), founded in 1935
with headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas, is
one of the world's largest processors and marketers of
chicken, beef and pork, the second-largest food production
company in the Fortune 500 and a member of the S&P
500. The company produces a wide variety of
protein-based and prepared food products and is the
recognized market leader in the retail and foodservice
markets it serves. Tyson provides products and services to
customers throughout the United Statesand more
than 130 countries. The company has approximately 115,000
Team Members employed at more than 400 facilities and
offices in the United Statesand around the
world. Through its Core Values, Code of Conduct and Team
Member Bill of Rights, Tyson strives to operate with
integrity and trust and is committed to creating value for
its shareholders, customers and Team Members. The company
also strives to be faith-friendly, provide a safe work
environment and serve as stewards of the animals, land and
environment entrusted to it.
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Contact: Gary Mickelson
479-290-6111
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