Media Contacts:
Donna B. Ragan, Donor Relations, Marketing, & Communications Manager
dragan@secondharvestmetrolina.org | 704-805-1724
Perdue Farms' "Fill the Gap" Initiative
Donations to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina Address Rising Food Insecurity Across 24 County Service Region They Serve
CHARLOTTE, NC – September 18, 2025 – With Hunger Action Month underway, Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina received 80,000 pounds of chicken as part of Perdue Farms’ "Fill the Food Gap" initiative. This new program is designed to address the growing crisis of food insecurity both in North Carolina and nationwide. The effort begins with an immediate donation of 800,000 pounds of nutritious protein to food banks along the east coast, including in North Carolina and South Carolina.
The challenge is significant: Food banks across the country are facing unprecedented strain, with many reporting record demand and reduced resources. According to Feeding America, the area served by Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina has a food insecurity rate of 13.8%, with over 569,000 people being considered food insecure.
“One of the most important aspects of a food bank’s work is insuring that those we serve are receiving the most nutritious foods possible,” said Kay Carter, CEO at Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina. “Thanks to partners like Perdue, the over 500,000 people living at or below the poverty level in our region are able to receive healthy protein on a regular basis.”
The resulting shortfall has created a substantial “food gap,” leaving millions of families struggling to access essential nutrition on a consistent basis. The protein provided by Perdue Farms to the food banks will be instrumental in bridging this gap, ensuring vulnerable populations receive the high-quality protein necessary for healthy development and well- being.
The donation provided to Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina will be distributed through its network of local pantries, soup kitchens, and community programs, directly benefiting residents throughout the greater Charlotte community.
Beyond this initial donation, the Fill the Food Gap program also includes:
- Ongoing Protein Donations: Perdue Farms commits to continued protein donations throughout the year, adapting to evolving short-term and long-term needs identified by food bank partners.
Associate Volunteerism: Encouraging and facilitating Perdue Farms associates nearby to volunteer their time and skills at local food banks and community feeding programs, particularly during Hunger Action Month.
Advocacy and Awareness: Raising awareness about the severity of food insecurity and advocating for solutions to address systemic issues, amplifying the message of Hunger Action Month.
Perdue Farms has a long-standing commitment to fighting hunger and supporting communities. This Hunger Action Month program builds on Perdue Farms’ decades-long commitment to fighting hunger through our Delivering Hope to Our Neighbors® outreach, focused on improving quality of life and building strong communities. Since 2000, Perdue has delivered the equivalent of 89 million meals in its efforts to help alleviate food insecurity in its communities and beyond.
"The urgency to address food insecurity has only grown this year," said Todd Tillemans, Chief Commercial Officer at Perdue Farms. "With so many families relying on food banks that are stretched thinner than ever, we knew we had to act. Fill the Food Gap is about mobilizing Perdue’s resources and people to provide immediate relief in the communities where we operate and shine a light on a challenge too big to ignore.”
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About Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina
As part of Feeding America, Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina - serves 24 counties in North and South Carolina. In FY 2023-2024, Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina distributed almost 90 million pounds of food and household items, which included over 54 million pounds in fresh produce, meat, and dairy, to over 950 hunger feeding agencies including emergency pantries, soup kitchens, senior programs, shelters and low-income daycares.
About Perdue Farms
We’re a fourth-generation, family-owned, U.S. food and agriculture company. Through our belief in responsible food and agriculture, we are empowering consumers, customers, and farmers through trusted choices in products and services. Perdue Foods consists of a premium protein portfolio, including our flagship PERDUE® brand, Niman Ranch®, Coleman Natural®, Pasturebird®, and Yummy®, as well as our pet brands, Full Moon® and Spot Farms®, and is available through various channels including retail, foodservice, club stores and our direct-to-consumer website, PerdueFarms.com. Perdue AgriBusiness is a leading merchandiser, processor, and exporter of agricultural products and the largest U.S. manufacturer of specialty, organic, and non-GMO oils. It also ranks as one of the largest suppliers of organic feed ingredients in the world. Now in our company’s second century, we never use drugs for growth promotion in raising poultry and livestock, and we are actively advancing our animal welfare programs. Our brands are leaders in no-antibiotics-ever and in USDA-certified organic proteins. Learn more at Corporate.PerdueFarms.com.