PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--With the United States experiencing one of the worst droughts since 1936, FMC Corporation offered insights on combating crop shortages that impact the supply and availability of surplus food at the Second Annual Hunger Symposium hosted by Philabundance.
Philabundance is the region’s largest hunger relief organization and it provides food access to people in need through partnerships with organizations and individuals across the Delaware Valley. In its second year, the Hunger Symposium brings together thought leaders and passionate individuals from across the northeast to collaborate on innovative ways to combat the growing issue of hunger.
As part of a panel on food supply challenges, John Kasper, FMC Agricultural Products North America marketing manager, outlined how the agricultural industry can increase production by using innovative technology to help get more food to community food banks such as Philabundance.
“Another key aspect to food bank success is strong relationships with businesses,” added Kasper. The partnership forged between FMC and its metropolitan food bank, Philabundance, is a clear illustration.
To celebrate the partnership, FMC presented a donation of $100,000 to Philabundance at the event. This donation includes sponsorship of the symposium, the “Honoring You” gift of a week’s worth of food for each person who attended the symposium, and FMC’s adoption of the South Philadelphia Philabundance ‘Fresh For All’ food distribution location that is also staffed by employee volunteers for 2012 and again in 2013. Last year alone, the site provided 200,000 pounds of fresh produce to neighborhood residents and families.
“With food demand rising, FMC recognizes the extra stress this places on supply for low-income consumers and hunger relief agencies. FMC resources are naturally aligned to help address that need,” says Barbara Del Duke, FMC’s senior manager of Public Affairs and Community Relations. “Our company’s mission is feeding the world, protecting health, and providing the conveniences of life. The multi-faceted partnership with Philabundance demonstrates how we’re doing that in our own backyard.”
In the global food commodities market, one of the keys to fighting hunger is to implement technologies that can expedite the flow of goods to communities that are in need. Technology can be utilized by American farmers to produce high quality and high yielding crops that can help meet the growing global demands.
“Today, more than half of FMC’s Agricultural Products business is devoted to helping match the global demand for food and better nutrition, and FMC will continue to invest the resources into helping to increase production to address these supply-and-demand issues,” Kasper said.
One innovative solution: FMC is developing a sustainable product that would help farmers combat the blights and plant diseases that can result in a 75 percent loss of a harvest of almonds, strawberries, grapes, and stone fruits such as peaches, plums, apricots, and cherries.
FMC also works with feed companies to innovate wheat to provide farmers with sustainable methods for maximizing the quality of the grains that will be used to make breads, cereals, pastas, and other foods.
About FMC
FMC Corporation is a diversified chemical company serving agricultural, industrial, environmental and consumer markets globally for more than a century with innovative solutions, applications and quality products. In 2011, FMC had annual sales of approximately $3.4 billion. The company employs approximately 5,500 people throughout the world, and operates its businesses in three segments: Agricultural Products, Specialty Chemicals and Industrial Chemicals. For more information, visit www.fmc.com.
Philabundance reduces hunger and food insecurity in the Delaware Valley by providing food access to people in need in partnership with organizations and individuals. Philabundance provides a full plate of services through direct service programs and a network of close to 500 member agencies in 9 counties. Philabundance serves approximately 65,000 people per week at a cost of 50 cents per meal. There are more than 900,000 people in the Delaware Valley who are at risk for chronic hunger and malnutrition. In 2011, Philabundance distributed 21 million pounds of food. For more information about Philabundance, visit www.philabundance.org or call 215-339-0900. Visit us on Facebook, Facebook.com/Philabundance and follow us on Twitter, Twitter.com/Philabundance. If you or someone you know is in need of food assistance, please call Philabundance’s Food Help Line, 800-319-Food (3663).
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50414244&lang=en