US Foods announces additional $2M in funding for charitable efforts
Rosemont-based US Foods Holding Corp., one of America’s largest food service distributors, is investing nearly $2 million as part of the company’s 2024 “Helping Communities Make It” program.
The additional funding will enable new and innovative initiatives across the company’s three strategic community giving pillars: hunger relief, culinary education and disaster relief. US Foods associates will support the program through year-round volunteer events.
The program will harness the power of food to empower communities in need with nourishment and opportunity, said CEO Dave Flitman.
“As our communities face high rates of food insecurity, educational and job-training hardships, and the immediate and long-term consequences of natural disasters, our investment is a major step forward in our effort to meet our communities’ growing needs,” he said.
New and enhanced initiatives will provide sustainable solutions across the company’s three strategic community giving pillars:
• Hunger relief: Eliminating hunger in our communities. Amid rising food costs, 44 million people, including more than 13 million children, face hunger in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service. This year, US Foods will pursue innovative hunger-relief programming with long-standing partner Feeding America, as well as new partnerships focused on feeding veterans and military families — one of the marginalized communities disproportionately impacted by food insecurity. As many as 24% of active-duty members say they experience food insecurity.
• Culinary education: Empowering the next generation of culinary talent. With the national need for cooks and chefs projected to rise 25% by 2030, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the company will expand its US Foods Scholars program to students nationwide. It will offer 18 culinary students $20,000 scholarships to pursue degrees in culinary arts, baking and pastry, chef training, and hospitality management. Since its launch, the program has awarded more than $1.7 million in scholarships to nearly 90 students.
• Disaster relief: Enabling communities to recover faster. The American Red Cross responds to on average 65,000 disasters yearly. As a new 2024 American Red Cross Disaster Responder Program member, the company’s increased investment will provide year-round disaster relief support to provide the Red Cross with the resources needed to quickly mobilize before disaster strikes.
The company also will continue its associate engagement opportunities with three major companywide giving events. These include a two-week “Spring into Service” volunteer event, Hunger Action Month in support of Feeding America’s nationwide initiative, and a monthlong “Giving Gratitude” holiday drive to fight food insecurity.
For more information about the Helping Communities Make It program, visit usfoods.com/community.