The Idaho Foodbank today announced it will receive a $10,000 donation from the H.J. Heinz Company and Heinz Company Foundation to support its mission of feeding the hungry in Idaho.

It is estimated the funds will provide approximately 30,000 meals to hungry Idaho families. Heinz provides community grants and donations to a variety of organizations, with preference given to those based in areas where the company has operations.

“We strive to be a generous benefactor, especially in the areas where we operate,” said Tammy Aupperle, chair of the H.J. Heinz Company Foundation. “We are pleased to help those in need in the Idaho area, where we operate a plant in Pocatello.”

The Heinz Pocatello plant is a 500,000-square-foot facility that produces a variety of Heinz frozen foods, including Smart Ones® entrees and bag meals, Ore-Ida® Easy Fries, Nancy’s® Appetizers, and T.G.I. Friday’s® snacks.

“It’s terrific to see a global company like Heinz helping to make a difference right in our own local community,” said Joye Jones, manager of the Foodbank’s Eastern Branch in Pocatello. “The grant will go a long way in helping those in need right here in Idaho.”

Chocolate milk with lunch and cool shades - all is right with the world.

After its first two weeks this summer, The Idaho Foodbank’s Picnic in the Park program shows a growth of 368 meals or 3.4% over the same period last year.

In the first week of the Boise-centered program, the Foodbank summer staff handed out 4,764 free lunches. In its second week, the program provided 6,370 free lunches for a two-week total of 11,289. Last year’s two-week total was 10,921.

This means the 2012 program is on pace to exceed the record of 56,496 meals set last year.

Redwood Park has overtaken perennial leader Winstead Park as the most popular Picnic location so far. In two weeks, the Picnic in the Park staff has handed out 1,407 free lunches at Redwood, 1,319 at Winstead and 1,240 at Ivywild.

The busiest day so far this year was Tuesday, June 12, with 1,385 lunches served.

Picnic in the Park will continue through August 10, except July 4.  All children ages 1-18 are welcome. There is no paperwork to complete. Parents are welcome to purchase lunch for a low price.

Our major partners this year are the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Idaho State Department of Education.

For more information, including a complete list of Picnic in the Park sites, Boise and Meridian school districts’ sites, and all other lunch programs statewide www.idahofoodbank.org.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.