Second Harvest Food Bank Orange County to Reap Tons of Food From PMA Convention

Oct. 3, 2009 - PRLog -- For more information, contact:
PMA: Julia Stewart, cell (703) 727-8808,
jstewart@pma.com
Nancy Ferguson nferguson@pma.com
Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County: Kathie Monroe
(949) 653-2900,
KathieM@FeedOC.org


Second Harvest Food Bank Orange County to Reap Tons of Food From the Produce Marketing Association Convention


October 3, 2009 (Anaheim, CA) – Just hours after the largest U.S. convention of the produce industry concludes Monday afternoon, October 5th at the Anaheim Convention Center, an estimated 200 volunteers from the Orange County area will “harvest” tons of produce and floral products for the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County.

   Volunteers will collect fruits, vegetables, flowers and other items that have been on display by exhibitors of the Produce Marketing Association's (PMA) annual Fresh Summit International Convention and Exposition, held here Oct. 2-5. PMA’s annual U.S. trade show is one of the world's largest fresh produce and floral industry gatherings. More than 800 exhibitors showed off their best offerings to an audience estimated at more than 17,000 from over 50 countries.
   Volunteers to participate in this food recovery event are still urgently needed. Interested individuals or groups (18 years and older) can contact volunteer@FeedOC.org for more information or to sign-up.
   Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County serves more than 220,000 individuals at risk of hunger each month. Those served include the working poor, children, seniors on fixed incomes, single parents, the disabled, the homeless, and individuals experiencing medical emergencies or recent job layoffs.

MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES:
Press credentials required for access; register in the press room in Room 205A.
•1:30 p.m.: Food bank volunteers will gather at the convention center’s Box Office E.
•2:00-5:30 p.m.: Food bank volunteers will begin recovering produce and floral from
exhibitors’ displays in the exhibit hall at approximately 2:30-4 p.m., and begin moving
donated product to offloading areas. For personal safety reasons, preauthorization and a
media escort is required (in addition to press credentials). Media access will end at 5 p.m.
Contact PMA PR personnel by 3 p.m. to request access.

About Produce Marketing Association (PMA)
   Founded in 1949, the Produce Marketing Association is the leading trade association
representing nearly 3,000 companies from every segment of the global produce and floral supply
chain. Members rely on PMA year round for the business solutions they need to increase sales
and consumption, build strong professional relationships, and expand their business
opportunities. For more information, visit www.pma.com.

About Second Harvest Food Bank
   For over 25 years, Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County has provided more than 245 million pounds of safe and nutritious surplus food to over 400 charitable non-profit organizations throughout Orange County. The Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County is a certified Affiliate Member of Feeding America. For more information about Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County or to learn how to help, visit www.FeedOC.org

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About Second Harvest Food Bank
For over 25 years, Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County has provided more than 245 million pounds of safe and nutritious surplus food to over 400 charitable non-profit organizations throughout Orange County. The Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County is a certified Affiliate Member of Feeding America. For more information about Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County or to learn how to help, visit www.FeedOC.org