From left are Becky Joniskan, president of the Indiana State Poultry Association; Moriah Cragun with Rose Acre Farms; Tony Wesner, chief operating officer for Rose Acre Farms; Chelsey McCory with Rose Acre Farms; Daniel Leckie, executive director of HATCH for Hunger; and Marcie Luhigo, executive director of Midwest Food Bank Indiana division.
Submitted photo | American Egg Board
Rose Acre Farms, which operates an egg farm in Seymour, is one of more than 20 farms participating in a nationwide initiative led by the American Egg Board called Fighting Hunger by the Dozens.
This initiative will provide 5.5 million eggs to food-insecure individuals and families.
On Monday, Rose Acre Farms donated 43,200 eggs to the Midwest Food Bank in Indianapolis, which distributed more than $66 million in food to nearly 300 agencies across Indiana in 2022. Hoosier needs for food support rose by 28% last year, according to a news release from Rose Acre Farms.
Midwest Food Bank serves food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, rehabilitation programs and after-school programs along with large food distributions in areas of greatest need in Marion County.
Every dollar donated allows Midwest Food Bank to give away $30 in food through food rescue and its large base of volunteers.
This donation will provide Indianapolis area residents with thousands of meals. In total, more than 458,300 dozen eggs will be donated by egg farmers across the country this spring, one of the largest egg donations in history.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, more than 34 million Americans, including 9 million children, are food insecure.
“Eggs are a complete protein and provide great nutritional value,” said Tony Wesner, chief operating officer for Rose Acre Farms. “Easter and Passover mark special occasions for families to gather around the table, and we are hopeful that our donation will provide a helpful meal solution for many in our community.”