Exhibitors at last week’s Annual Meat Conference in Nashville donated 6,259 lb. of meat and poultry to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee and the Isaiah 58 Outreach Ministry of Belmont Church. The annual conference is hosted by the American Meat Institute (AMI) and Food Marketing Institute (FMI).  

Packages of pork, steak, ground beef, turkey, chicken and lamb were highlighted during the conference’s Product Tasting Reception, featuring about 40 exhibitors. Many donated meat that was not used at the reception.

Leaders at the Second Harvest Food Bank and Isaiah 58 noted the donation was the largest single donation on record. "The American Meat Institute has a 25-year partnership with our nation's food banks – called ‘Meating the Need’ – through which our member companies donate meat and poultry products," explains AMI President and CEO J. Patrick Boyle. "We are pleased to have continued this initiative with a large donation here in Nashville."

Leslie G. Sarasin, president and CEO of FMI, added: “The food retail industry’s proud tradition of community involvement is demonstrated in the near-universal supermarket support of local food banks and feeding programs. FMI is delighted to have our conference share in the neighborly spirit of food retailing, as reflected in this record-setting donation to the good work of Second Harvest Food Bank and the Isaiah 58 Outreach Ministry.”

Annual Meat Conference exhibitors have donated thousands of pounds of meat and poultry to host communities over the years. In 2012, they donated more than 7,000 lb. to food banks in Orlando. AMI and its members have also donated millions of pounds of meat through its partnership with Feeding America since 1989. For more information, please visit: http://meatami.com/ht/d/sp/i/203/pid/203.