Campbell Canada encourages industry to help in the fight against hunger with
expanded food bank commitment

Campbell Company of Canada and Food Banks Canada announce comprehensive multi-year agreement

TORONTO , Jan. 12 /CNW/ - The holidays may have come and gone for another year, but the issue of hunger remains an unfortunate constant for the almost 800,000 Canadians who rely on their local food bank every month. Campbell Company of Canada and Food Banks Canada today announced a comprehensive multi-year agreement that will support hunger relief across Canada through the donation of nutritious food, charitable funds, educational resources and other awareness and community programs.

"At Campbell Canada , we believe that all Canadians have a right to convenient, affordable and nutritious food, and, as one of Canada's most recognized food manufacturers, we have a responsibility to take a lead role in helping to alleviate hunger across Canada ," says Phil Donne , president, Campbell Company of Canada . "To us, true leadership means more than just writing a cheque, and Campbell is committed to extending our hunger relief leadership beyond the basic donation of funds."

Because it is tasty, nutritious and affordable, canned soup is one of the 'most needed items' for food banks across Canada . Campbell's soups represent a better-for-you option, particularly in light of the company's sodium reduction efforts, that can be offered to people turning to food banks for assistance. As a result, the multi-year agreement includes a commitment to donate one million pounds of Campbell's wholesome food annually.

To reflect Canadian food banks' increasingly diverse clientele, the agreement includes provisions for the donation of Campbell's Halal-certified, Gluten-Free and vegetarian products. Campbell has also committed to providing Food Banks Canada with a variety of community and awareness-building programs as well as educational and research resources.

"Campbell Canada's multi-year commitment to Food Banks Canada is an inspiring example of corporate leadership and influence on the critical issue of hunger in Canada ," says Katharine Schmidt , Executive Director, Food Banks Canada . "With their help, Food Banks Canada will continue to reduce hunger in Canada by addressing the short term need for food and longer term solutions."

Donne adds, "By entering into a multi-year commitment to support Food Banks Canada we hope to encourage both the business community and our consumers to join us in addressing the issue of hunger by supporting food banks across the country."

From cause marketing initiatives to employee engagement opportunities, Campbell Canada is rallying around the issue of hunger at all levels of the organization. In addition to the company's commitment to Food Banks Canada , Campbell supports a number of initiatives through the Daily Bread Food Bank, including a Community Garden project. This past fall employees volunteered hours to build a shed and prepare the community garden for winter. Employees also regularly support their local food bank through food sorts and participation in fundraisers.

About Food Banks Canada

Food Banks Canada is the national charitable organization representing the food bank community across Canada . Its Members, Affiliate Member food banks, and their respective agencies serve approximately 85 per cent of people accessing emergency food programs nationwide. Its mission is to meet the short-term need for food and find long-term solutions to reduce hunger. Please visit www.foodbankscanada.ca for more information.

About Campbell Company of Canada

Campbell Company of Canada is taking bold steps to be a different kind of food company. With a focus on simple, healthy foods and meal solutions that are lower in sodium, deliver more vegetables and whole grains, and no artificial colours or flavours, Campbell Canada is committed to providing extraordinary, authentic nourishment for all. For more than five years, the company has led the industry in sodium reduction - removing the equivalent of 30 million teaspoons of salt from its soups. To meet the changing dietary needs of Canadians, Campbell recently introduced Gluten-Free and Halal-certified products. With a manufacturing facility located in Toronto , ON, Campbell Canada is a subsidiary of Campbell Soup Company, based in Camden, New Jersey. For more information on brands such as the iconic Campbell's (R) condensed soup, Chunky(R) soups and chilis, Gardennay(R) soups and V8(R) beverages as well as products that carry the Health Check(TM) symbol, visit www.campbellsoup.ca.

For further information: Melanie Rockliff, Campbell Company of Canada, [phone] x 8479, [email protected]; Jennifer Brown, Weber Shandwick, [phone], [email protected]; Marzena Gersho, Food Banks Canada, [phone] x28, [email protected]