Coastside New Leaf Community Market Donates 1.5 Tons of Smart Chicken® to Food Bank

New Leaf Community Markets wants to give a BIG THANKS to its partner Smart Chicken® and Coastside New Leaf customers -- for making it possible to donate over 1.5 tons of nutritious poultry and $5,076 to Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties in January!

For every 10 pounds of Smart Chicken purchased by customers of New Leaf and sister store New Seasons Market Evergreen during November 2016, the food bank has received one pound of the poultry.

This year’s donation brings the total donated to the food bank to 7.3 tons. Since 2006 when New Leaf launched this program, it has donated 28 tons to food banks it serves.

In addition to the poultry donation, $5,076 was collected from New Leaf customers who gave at the cash register during the holiday food drive for the food bank, which will provide 10,152 meals for local families in need.

“Thanks to our partnership with New Leaf and Smart Chicken, Second Harvest is able to do so much more to ensure that anyone who needs a healthy meal can get one,” said Kathy Jackson, CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties. “This generous donation goes a long way as we continue to feed the more than quarter of a million people who so desperately need food every month. Plus, poultry is a great source of protein and exactly the type of wholesome food our clients both want and need to live healthy, active lives.”

“New Leaf is very appreciative of our partner Smart Chicken and our customers who have joined with us to make this annual effort for local food banks such a big success," said Chris Farotte, meat and seafood & category manager, New Leaf Community Markets.

Smart Chicken is made from 100% all-natural, free-roaming, grain-fed chickens that are raised without animal byproducts, antibiotics, or hormones. The poultry is processed using purified cold air instead of being chilled in non-potable communal water baths, which eliminates water absorption and cross contamination. Smart Chicken maintains high standards for how the chickens are raised, transported, and prepared for market.

About New Leaf Community Markets
A natural grocery company, with seven locations including 150 San Mateo Rd, Half Moon Bay, New Leaf has been serving the community for 31 years. New Leaf is committed to offering customers choices that have the most beneficial impact on their health and the health of the environment. Helping customers make informed decisions is an integral part of this commitment. A wholly owned subsidiary of New Seasons Market since November 2013, New Leaf is the first grocer in California to achieve B Corporation certification, which means that New Leaf uses the power of business to solve social and economic problems. New Leaf’s mission, to nourish and sustain our community, is reflected in the 10 percent of profits given annually to support local nonprofits working to improve the quality of life. Connect at: www.newleaf.com

About Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties
Based in Silicon Valley, Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties is one of the largest food banks in the nation. Currently providing food to more than one quarter of a million people every month, Second Harvest is a trusted community-based organization that was founded in 1974. Despite the immense wealth in Silicon Valley, and partly due to the high cost of living, hunger and malnutrition are pervasive. The Food Bank distributes nutritious food, including more fresh produce than any other food bank in the country, through a network of more than 320 nonprofit partners at more than 850 sites. Second Harvest is pursuing innovative efforts to increase access to food resources as it seeks to feed an additional 100,000 hungry people each month. To reach more people, it connects those in need to federal nutrition programs and other food resources. To learn more about how Second Harvest is building a hunger-free community, visit www.SHFB.org.