Monsanto contributing $3million to fight rural hunger

By CnAgri2012-10-17 15:26:28 Print

Monsanto Company will support Invest an Acre through a $3 million contribution, in which the company will match the contributions of U.S. farmers, dollar for dollar.

The Invest an Acre program is the first effort of its kind to mobilize farmers, agri-business and a nonprofit on a national scale to support rural hunger relief. Through the program, participating farmers can go to an ADM elevator to invest a portion of the proceeds from their harvest to support their local food bank connected with Feeding America. Monsanto is matching the farmer contributions. 

In partnership with the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, Feeding America and Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM), Monsanto is the first seed company to join the Invest an Acre program and match the contributions of U.S. farmers who are working to fight hunger in their own communities.

Even though America’s farmers are among the most productive and efficient in the world, hunger is still a significant problem in America, according to the organizers of Invest an Acre. Nearly 15 percent of all rural households are regularly without food – that’s around 3 million households in the very communities where much of the world’s food supply is raised. In addition, one out of every six people goes hungry regularly in the United States.

In addition to the $3 million commitment, Monsanto employees around the country are volunteering at their local food pantry during November and February. More than 70 Monsanto sites have pledged to volunteer at local food banks and assist their communities in feeding the hungry.

Monsanto contends it is a consistent supporter of America’s farmers and addressing the nation’s hunger problem. Dedicated food drives to support area food banks during the Farm Progress and Husker Harvest Day shows have been held. In addition, through Monsanto’s America’s Farmers Grow Communities program, Monsanto has provided farmer recipients with more than $300,000 that has gone towards more than 120 food banks and food pantries within rural communities.