GALVESTON TX (April 24, 2020) – Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc., a top fresh fruit distributor with import operations at the Port of Galveston, has donated 919,000 pounds of fresh fruit to the Houston Food Bank in April to help those in need during the Covid-19 crisis. In total, the company has donated more than 1.1 million pounds to the food bank in 2020.
“The Port of Galveston salutes its long-time tenant for stepping up to help families in our region,” said Rodger Rees, Galveston Wharves port director and CEO. “Fresh Del Monte’s long tradition of lending a hand in times of crisis is an inspiration to us all.”
Donations like this help the Houston Food Bank and its food distribution partners, including the Galveston County Food Bank, provide healthy food to more than 800,000 individuals a year in 18 counties throughout Southeast Texas.
Joe Wiley, port manager for Fresh Del Monte’s Galveston operation, said, “We’re very proud of the relationship we’ve had with the Houston Food Bank over the years and are pleased that we have this opportunity, especially now during these extraordinary times, to contribute and provide food for so many families in the local community.”
Brian Greene, Houston Food Bank president/CEO, said that in addition to produce, Fresh Del Monte distribution locations in Galveston and Houston also have donated supplies to support the food bank’s services.
Greene said, “The continued support from Fresh Del Monte helps us all provide healthy, nutritious food to our neighbors year-round and is especially impactful at this time as the need for food assistance has significantly increased during the Covid-19 pandemic.”
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About Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc.
Fresh Del Monte is one of the world’s leading vertically integrated producers, marketers and distributors of high-quality fresh and fresh-cut fruit and vegetables, as well as a leading producer and distributor of prepared food in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Fresh Del Monte markets its products worldwide under the DEL MONTE® brand (under license from Del Monte Foods, Inc.), a symbol of product innovation, quality, freshness and reliability for over 125 years. The Company also markets its products under the MANN™ brand and other related trademarks. Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. is not affiliated with certain other Del Monte companies around the world, including Del Monte Foods, Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of Del Monte Pacific Limited, Del Monte Canada, or Del Monte Asia Pte. Ltd.
Galveston Wharves at Port of Galveston
Perfectly situated at the entrance to Galveston Bay and the Houston Ship Channel, Galveston Wharves has been a thriving maritime commercial center since 1825. Just 30 minutes from open seas, the 840-acre port has infrastructure and assets to serve growing cruise, cargo and commercial businesses. As the fourth busiest U.S. cruise port, it welcomed over 1 million cruise passengers in 2019. The port also moved 4 million tons of cargo in 2019 and has an estimated annual state economic impact of $2.1 billion.