First Run Donation Program

Over the last few years, Land O’Lakes has taken a more strategic approach to its philanthropic initiatives, focusing the cooperative’s efforts primarily around hunger alleviation and its Feeding Our Communities initiative.

As part of this initiative, the First Run program increases the amount of product donated to food banks throughout the country to help feed hungry families in areas where Land O’Lakes members and employees live and work. The products are made specifically for donation. In 2012, Land O’Lakes made 13 First Run product donations, which translated to about 600,000 pounds of product distributed to food banks in 13 cities nationwide.

Another way Land O’Lakes has increased donations to food banks is through an innovative project that combines agronomy education and community outreach. Through the Answer Plot® Community Gardens program, Future Farmers of America (FFA) students partnered with Answer Plot® professionals and member cooperatives to grow produce to donate to local food shelves. In its second year, the program expanded from six to 17 gardens, with students growing and harvesting 124,000 servings of fresh produce that were donated to area food shelves.

“Hunger continues to be a significant concern given the challenging economic climate,” said Lydia Botham, executive director of the Land O’Lakes Foundation. “We are proud of our strategic partnerships with cooperatives and other companies and agencies around the country as we continue our fight against hunger.”

Learn more about: Malawi Food for Progress Program | Agricultural Productivity