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5,000 lbs. of ground beef to help combat lead exposure
SCHUYLER, Neb. and FLINT, Mich. - March 24, 2016 – Cargill will deliver 5,000 pounds of ground beef, the equivalent of 20,000 quarter-pound burger patties, to the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan on Thursday, March 24 from its Schuyler, Neb. beef processing facility. The donation is part of a joint effort with the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) to provide known lead-fighting nutrients to families impacted by the recent Flint, Mich. water crisis after lead contaminated the city’s water supply.
Calcium, vitamin C and iron-rich foods can help protect against and reduce lead absorption in the body. Through the food bank, Cargill’s ground beef donation will provide a source of iron to families in need in Flint.
“We firmly believe that everyone has the right to enjoy safe and nutritious food,” said Jarrod Gillig, general manager of Cargill’s beef processing plant in Schuyler. “We know that protein, like ground beef, provides an array of essential nutrients to children and adults, and we believe it is important for us to provide some relief for a community in need of long-term support.”
UFCW is facilitating donations from Cargill and other organizations. A news media event will be held at noon Eastern Time on Thursday, March 24, in Flint.
“According to Michigan State and the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan, the first six months are critical to mitigating the effects from people who have ingested significant amounts of lead,” said Dan Hoppes, President of UFCW Local 293. “This is an important time for the city of Flint, and Cargill is one of several organizations that has stepped up to the challenge to aid this community in its time of need. We are proud to be working with Cargill to make this donation, which will undoubtedly have a positive impact for many families in the area.”
Cargill’s Schuyler, Neb., beef processing facility is located about 90 miles west of Omaha and employs more than 2,000 Nebraskans, most of whom are members of UFCW Local 293.
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Cargill provides food, agriculture, financial and industrial products and services to the world. Together with farmers, customers, governments and communities, we help people thrive by applying our insights and 150 years of experience. We have 150,000 employees in 70 countries who are committed to feeding the world in a responsible way, reducing environmental impact and improving the communities where we live and work. For more information, visit Cargill.com and our News Center.
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