New Leaf Contributes Over 4 Tons of Smart Chicken® to Food Banks

New Leaf Community Markets and its partner Smart Chicken® have donated 5,358 pounds of the nutritious Smart Chicken poultry to Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Cruz County and 3,344 pounds to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara & San Mateo County.

For every 10 pounds of Smart Chicken purchased by New Leaf customers during November 2017, the food bank received one pound of the poultry. Since 2006 when New Leaf launched the Smart Giving program, the market has donated over 23 tons of poultry to Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Cruz County.

In addition to poultry, New Leaf donated funds and customer contributions totaling over $14,000 to the food banks this year, which will provide over 57,000 meals for families in need.

“For over a decade, New Leaf Community Markets and Smart Chicken have partnered with Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County to end hunger by providing nutritious food to the hungry,” said Willy Elliott-McCrea, CEO, Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County. “This partnership allows us to feed people quality lean protein, and, combined with the fresh produce donated by our community partners, our food bank is able to distribute some of the healthiest food in the entire country,” he added.

“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 program and 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. The company maintains high standards for how the chickens are humanely raised, transported, and prepared for market.

About New Leaf Community Markets
A natural grocer with four stores along the Central Coast, New Leaf Community Markets has been serving the community for 32 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: newleaf.com

About Second Harvest Food Bank
Founded in 1972, Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County was the first food bank in California and is the second oldest in the nation. It began by distributing food from a parking lot in Santa Cruz to groups operating the Breakfast for Kids program. Second Harvest’s mission is to end hunger and malnutrition by educating and involving the community. Through its network of more than 200 agencies and programs and over 3,000 volunteers, the food bank distributes over 8 million pounds of food annually to working poor families, children, and seniors. thefoodbank.org