Monsanto Announces Commitment to 'Invest An Acre' Program

By CnAgri2012-10-17 22:32:58 Print

In keeping with the company's commitment to sustainable agriculture and improving lives, Monsanto Company is partnering in Invest an Acre, which is focused on addressing rural hunger in America.

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

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 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.

"We are proud to support this program and dedicated to reducing hunger in our rural communities," said Jerry Steiner, Monsanto executive vice president, sustainability and corporate affairs. "Monsanto is strongly committed to farmers and their communities. Without the support of farmers and their efforts to feed a growing population, meeting the needs of the hungry would not be possible."

Even though America's farmers are among the most productive and efficient in the world, hunger is still a significant problem in America. 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 is a consistent supporter of America's farmers and addressing the nation's hunger problem. For the past three years, the company has held dedicated food drives to support area food banks during the Farm Progress and Husker Harvest Day shows. These food drives have generated approximately 80,000 pounds of food for families in need. 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. You can find out more about Monsanto's commitment to fighting rural hunger at Monsanto.com.