Cooperative doubles food support to help rural families during holidays
Land O Lakes, Inc., a large farmer- and member-owned cooperative, has announced a new one million dollar investment to support hunger relief efforts across the United States. The funding is focused on helping rural communities during the holiday season, when food needs are often at their highest.
This investment will support 15 Feeding America partner food banks located across areas where Land O Lakes members and employees live and work. A portion of the funding will also go directly to Feeding America to strengthen national hunger relief programs. With this commitment, the cooperative has effectively doubled its hunger relief impact for 2025, building on nearly four million meals already provided earlier in the year.
Food banks across the country report that demand for food assistance continues to rise. Rural food banks face unique challenges, as they often serve wide geographic areas and communities with higher rates of food insecurity. During the holiday season, these challenges can become even greater.
"As a farmer-owned cooperative, hunger relief is central to our philanthropic mission," said Land O'Lakes CEO and President Beth Ford. "While we support these efforts throughout the year, we're proud to double down on our hunger contributions during the holiday season to do our part to serve families when the need is so incredibly high." Importance of ensuring families have access to nutritious meals. Increasing support during the holidays reflects the cooperative’s commitment to helping communities during times of greater need.
Feeding America leaders welcomed the support, noting that millions of people across the country continue to face hunger. Partnerships with organizations like Land O Lakes help food banks provide meals to families and individuals who need them most, especially during the holidays.
"Everyone in our communities deserves to feel the peace of mind of gathering around a full table, especially during the holidays," said Linda Nageotte, Feeding America President and Chief Operating Officer. "With tens of millions of people in the U.S. facing hunger, we are grateful for partners like Land O'Lakes who understand this urgent need. Through their generosity, neighbors facing hunger can bring meals home this holiday season and beyond."
This investment highlights how agricultural organizations can play an important role in strengthening communities. By supporting food banks and hunger relief programs, Land O Lakes continues to help ensure that families can gather around a full table during the holiday season and beyond.
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