Elanco, The Kroger Co.’s Central Division, Rose Acre Farms, Gleaners Food Bank and Midwest Food Bank have introduced a way consumers, food stores and farmers can easily work together to provide eggs to undernourished people of all ages. Called HATCHTM, this innovative community partnership was celebrated by community leaders, government officials, association representatives and food shoppers during a special event at a Kroger store in Indianapolis. The first HATCH pilot project, which involves 66 Central Indiana Kroger stores, will provide one egg to a local food bank for each dozen Kroger-brand medium eggs purchased through June 20.
"Fighting hunger and undernourishment through sustainable, local partnerships is a priority for Elanco, and is at the very heart of the HATCH initiative,” said Jeff Simmons, president of Elanco, the company that developed HATCH. “We believe HATCH will become a model for how communities can come together to create food security. That’s why we are thrilled to partner with Kroger, Rose Acre Farms and Central Indiana food banks to bring this first HATCH project to life.”
Undernourishment is a worldwide problem that affects people’s health, and how they remember, solve problems and make decisions. In the United States, one in five people do not have access to enough protein and other nutrients to meet their body’s needs. Indiana faces a similar challenge, with undernourishment affecting children, senior citizens and their families.
“Hunger is a daily reality for too many neighbors in the local communities Kroger serves,” said Jeff Burt, president of the Kroger Central Division. “Programs like our Perishable Donation Partnership® — and now HATCH — are important ways we help families put nutritious food on their plates every day. HATCH will allow us to focus the generosity of Kroger customers and associates on providing critically needed protein. Kroger has been fighting hunger for 132 years. It’s time to take that fight to the next level and HATCH will do that. Simply by buying a dozen medium eggs, we can ensure our neighbors in need benefit from the nutrients eggs provide.”
In fact, eggs are rich in protein, vitamins and minerals, with a single egg able to provide almost half the protein and all the iron a young child needs in one day. However, eggs usually are in short supply at food banks.
“Since one egg provides 6 grams of high-quality protein, fresh eggs are a prized item for food banks,” said Amanda Jackson, Rose Acre Farms. “We’re proud to provide the eggs that will be donated to Central Indiana food banks through HATCH, as well as eggs so many Kroger customers enjoy every day. HATCH is a wonderful way people from all walks of life can come together to make a big difference in the community, which is a perfect match for Rose Acre Farms’ family-owned values.”
To kick off this first HATCH project, Elanco, Rose Acre Farms and Kroger announced their collective donation of 34,560 eggs, which is equivalent to 2,880 dozen. These eggs, along with those donated via purchases of Kroger-brand medium eggs through June 20, will be given to Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana, Midwest Food Bank, and local food pantries serving Marion County and Central Indiana.
“Although it is just getting started, HATCH is an excellent example of how citizens and businesses can collaborate to make a vital difference in local communities,” said Simmons. “We look forward to building on this first partnership to develop HATCH initiatives in other locales that can bring food security to communities everywhere.”
For more information about how HATCH makes it easy for people to work together to fight hunger and undernourishment, visit HATCHforHunger.com or join the conversation using #HATCHforHunger.
