Panera Bread® and the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank Fight Food Insecurity in Los Angeles County

March 6, 2013 - PRLog -- LOS ANGELES – Panera Bread and its franchisees in the Los Angeles County today announced a partnership with the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank (LAFB) to help fight food insecurity in the area. With growing concerns on LA County nutrition and childhood hunger, the Panera Bread cafes are dedicating the month of March to honor the 40th Anniversary of the Food Bank and support fundraising efforts throughout the community.

“We are proud to partner with the Los Angeles Food Bank during their 40th year to help raise awareness for our neighbors in need,” said Sandy McElfresh, Director of Sales and Marketing of Manna Development, LLC, a Franchisee of Panera Bread, LLC. “It is estimated that 1.7 million people in Los Angeles County are currently food insecure. That number affects all of us – family members, friends, and children.”

Beginning immediately, Panera Bread will channel donations for the LAFB Kids Program through the Community Breadbox™, located inside each cafe. With help from the LAFB Kids Cafe program leaders, two kids nutrition classes are offered to My Panera members in La Cañada (Mar. 3) and Carson (Mar. 10).

“We are excited to have Panera Bread stand with us in the fight against hunger in the L.A. County,” said Michael Flood, President and CEO of the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. “This partnership will help get more food on the table through the Panera Bread Breadbox program, while providing nutrition awareness.  We are deeply grateful for the cafés’ support and local donations, as well as their help with bringing this important issue to light.”

For 40 years, the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank has worked to mobilize governmental, corporate, private and individual resources in the community to alleviate hunger. With a vision that no one goes hungry in Los Angeles County, the Food Bank has distributed 1 billion pounds of food since its inception and is the second oldest food bank in the nation.

This alliance represents another expansion of Panera’s effort to address food insecurity in America.  In fact, Panera Bread has been donating unsold bread and baked goods to local organizations for 25 years.  Under its Day-End Dough-Nation™ program, last year Panera bakery-cafés collectively donated a retail value of approximately $100 million worth of unsold bread and baked goods to help neighbors in need. With new cafés scheduled to open this year in areas including Beverly Hills, Santa Barbara, Westlake, Monrovia, and Sherman Oaks, Panera Bread SoCal leaders look to “Live Consciously” in the communities they serve, both now and in the future.

If you would like to contribute to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, please look for the Community Breadbox collection containers at every Panera Bread café in the L.A. region. For every $1 contributed, the Food Bank is able to provide four meals for those in need.

For more information on LAFB and getting involved, visit: www.lafoodbank.org

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About Panera Bread

Panera Bread Company owns and franchises 1,625 bakery-cafes as of September 25, 2012, under the Panera Bread®, Saint Louis Bread Co.® and Paradise Bakery & Café® names. We feature high quality, reasonably priced food in a warm, inviting and comfortable environment. With our identity rooted in handcrafted, fresh-baked, artisan bread, we are committed to providing great tasting, quality food that people can trust. Nearly all of our bakery-cafes have a menu highlighted by antibiotic-free chicken, whole grain bread, and select organic and all-natural ingredients, with zero grams of artificial trans-fat per serving, which provide flavorful, wholesome offerings. Our menu includes a wide variety of year-round favorites complemented by new items introduced seasonally with the goal of creating new standards in everyday food choices. In neighborhoods across the United States and in Ontario, Canada, our customers enjoy our warm and welcoming environment featuring comfortable gathering areas, relaxing decor and free Internet access. Our bakery-cafes routinely donate bread and baked goods to community organizations in need. Additional information is available on our website, http://www.panerabread.com.  

About Los Angeles Regional Food Bank:

For 40 years, the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank has worked to mobilize governmental, corporate, private and individual resources in the community to alleviate hunger. With a vision that no one goes hungry in Los Angeles County, the Food Bank has distributed 1 billion pounds of food since its inception.  It provides food to1 million people annually and in 2012 distributed 51 million pounds of food including 12 million pounds of fresh produce.  The Food Bank collects food from hundreds of resources, which – with the help of 32,000 volunteers annually –is distributed through a network of 650 partner agencies  at 1,078 distribution and program sites. 97 percent of funds raised and in-kind donations go directly to programs. For more information or to get involved, visit: www.lafoodbank.org

Photo:
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