Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Massachusetts to Send Food to New York Food Bank



Governors Settle Up on Super Bowl Wager

Massachusetts food will be sent to New York State as part of the New York-Massachusetts Super Bowl wager between Governors  Andrew Cuomo and 
Deval Patrick. The products will be delivered this week to the Food Bank for New York City in the Bronx.

Governor Cuomo also announced that in the spirit of giving, New York companies involved in the initial wager - Greek-yogurt producers, Junior's Cheesecake, and Ess-a-Bagel - have volunteered to donate their products to food banks in both states.

"The World Champion Giants have given New Yorkers a fantastic win, bragging rights and a parade – now the victory will give local food banks a shot in the arm when Massachusetts pays up on our bet," Governor Cuomo said.

"As we all know, New Yorkers like to give and to help when help is needed. That's why the New York companies that were involved in the wager have volunteered to give to food banks in New York and Massachusetts. I thank them and, once again, I congratulate the Giants."

Massachusetts companies will send their donations to the Food Bank for New York City. New York companies will send half their donations to the Women's Lunch Place in Boston, Massachusetts, and half to the Food Bank for New York City.


Massachusetts will send: 46 Centerville Pies from "The Pie Ladies" in Centerville, Legal Sea Foods clam chowder, and 46 cases of Food Should Taste Good chips in Needham Heights. 


New York will send: A total of 46 cases of New York-made Greek yogurt, evenly divided between the two states.


Participating companies include: Chobani Greek Yogurt, produced by Agro-Farma, Inc. in New Berlin, Chenango County, FAGE Total Greek Yogurt, produced by FAGE USA Dairy Industry, Inc. in Johnstown, Fulton County, Price Chopper Greek Yogurt, produced by HP Hood LLC in Vernon, Oneida County, Alpina's Revive Greek Yogurt, produced in Norwich, Chenango County, Junior's Most Fabulous Cheesecake and Desserts, located in Brooklyn, will donate 46 Cheesecakes, with 23 going to each state, and Ess-a-Bagel, located in Manhattan, will donate 46 dozen bagels, with 23 dozen going to each state.

Alan Rosen, owner of Junior's Cheesecake, said, "The Super Bowl is a once a year event but hunger and the need for food are year-round issues. So we are proud to continue our commitment to giving by donating these cheesecakes to help alleviate this need in some small way."

"Ess-a-Bagel is thrilled to participate in celebrating the Giant's win in the Super Bowl by donating our bagels to food banks in both New York and Massachusetts. Ess-a-Bagel has a proud history of supporting our community, and we are happy to be able to send our delicious bagels to help feed the hungry," stated Florence Wilpon, Co-Founder of Ess-a-Bagel.

New York State is the nation's leader in Greek yogurt manufacturing, and total yogurt production in the state has increased 57% over the past five years. 

Producing Greek yogurt requires approximately three times the amount of milk than traditional yogurt, making the industry a major economic driver for dairy farmers across New York State.

The following statements were provided in response to the benevolence.

"Thank you for including Greek yogurt in the Super Bowl donation wager. We are honored to be considered an iconic New York staple, and as the largest yogurt manufacturer in the state, Chobani is proud to call New York home. In the spirit of good sportsmanship, we are donating our delicious, protein-powered Chobani to both New York and Massachusetts food banks." - 
Kelly LaCorte, Chobani Communications Coordinator 

"With a robust milk supply and a talented workforce, New York State is the place to be for yogurt manufacturers like FAGE. We are happy to be given the opportunity to join the governor's initiative to help those in need and celebrate the Giant's Super Bowl victory." - I
oannis Ravanis, FAGE USA Dairy Industry, Inc. Executive Vice President, Manufacturing and Operations 

"We are proud to be a part of this drive to benefit food banks in New York State and Massachusetts. As a leading manufacturer of Greek yogurt and other nutritious dairy products in the state of New York, we support the Governor's initiative to use the wager to benefit those in need." - Lynne Bohan, HP Hood LLC Vice President of Public Relations and Government Affairs

"The team at Alpina Foods is excited to have enjoyed our first Super Bowl as New Yorkers, and is proud to add Alpina Revive yogurts to Governor Cuomo's Super Bowl wager. As a company, we always want to give back to the communities that we call home. We decided to build our first US plant in Batavia, N.Y., because we were impressed with the local agriculture, skilled workforce, and infrastructure the state has to offer. Football teams weren't part of our initial consideration, but now we're also proud of the New York Giants!" -   Carlos Rodriguez, General Manager of Alpina Foods

"The food banks are honored that Governor Cuomo took the time to make sure that millions of people remembered the hungry during one of America's great traditions – the Super Bowl. The good will as expressed in the annual governors' food wager to benefit the hungry stresses the issue of hunger and the need to address it even during times of celebration, since food banks have found, 'hunger never takes a vacation.' With hunger reaching over 3 million New York State residents the food banks applaud Governor Cuomo for highlighting the work we do by bringing added attention to this pressing problem." - John T. Evers, Executive Director, Food Bank Association of New York State

"All of us at the Food Bank For New York City are excited and proud of the New York Giants who have thankfully been long time supporters. We commend the Governor for using a fun state-against-state wager to focus on serious realities of the day. Using this moment to raise awareness about the reality of hunger transfers our hard won bragging rights into a win for New Yorkers struggling to put food on the table." - Margarette Purvis, President and CEO, Food Bank For New York City 

Image courtesy of 
http://www.stocklemonblog.com/

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