Grain Foods Foundation and Ted Allen Launch the Bread Art Project to Benefit Feeding America

RIDGWAY, CO, April 7, 2009 — One in eight Americans is struggling with hunger and more than 36 million are at risk of hunger. Given the troubled economy, consumers across the country are facing the difficulty of providing for their families, and many have turned to relief agencies to put meals on the table. The non-profit Grain Foods Foundation and Food Network host Ted Allen have teamed up with Feeding America, the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief organization, to provide up to one million pounds of food for those in need.

Feeding America is seeing a 30 percent increase in demand on its food banks nationwide compared to just one year ago. To alleviate the increased pressure on these important resources, the Grain Foods Foundation recently launched the Bread Art Project at www.gowiththegrain.org, where consumers can create a personalized piece of bread art -- at no cost -- by uploading a favorite drawing or photo, or designing a new one using a digital slice of bread as the canvas. For each piece of bread art created, the Grain Foods Foundation will donate $1 to Feeding America(1). One dollar provides seven meals or four bags of groceries to the 25 million people served by food banks annually.

"The diversity of those affected by the hunger epidemic is astonishing, and it is an honor to be participating in such an extraordinary campaign to help our neighbors in need," Allen said. "Combining three of my passions -- food, art and philanthropy -- for a worthy cause is a recipe everyone can agree is in good taste. I encourage everyone to take part in this initiative, which is a free and easy way to help provide healthy meals for struggling families."

The more bread art consumers create, the more meals Feeding America can put on the table for families across the country. Consumers can also view bread art from around the country and check out some of Allen's own designs as they take a virtual tour of the gallery of giving at www.gowiththegrain.org.

As part of the hunger-relief initiative, Allen unloaded thousands of loaves of Arnold® bread provided by Bimbo Bakeries, a member of the Grain Foods Foundation, at the Yorkville Common Pantry in New York City. Additional deliveries will be made to New York City's two largest hunger-relief organizations -- City Harvest and the Food Bank For New York City -- for distribution to hundreds of organizations, soup kitchens and food pantries throughout the five boroughs that provide food for thousands of hungry New Yorkers each day.

"Bread and grains not only provide many of the essential nutrients our bodies need to stay healthy," said Judi Adams MS, RD and president of the Grain Foods Foundation, "but this spring, they'll also help put food on our neighbors' tables."

For those families looking for help with their own kitchen cutbacks, choosing the right foods to fit your budget is important in providing healthy meals with long-lasting benefits.

"Bread and other grain foods are nutritious and affordable, and should continue to be an essential staple in Americans' grocery bags," said Allen. "Plus, they just taste good."

Allen has also developed tips and recipes for stretching dollars at home. For this information, or to make a personalized piece of bread art, visit www.gowiththegrain.org, where consumers can join the effort to help fight hunger; or follow GoWithTheGrain on Facebook and Twitter.

About Feeding America (formerly America's Second Harvest - The Nation's Food Bank Network)
Feeding America provides low-income individuals and families with the fuel to survive and even thrive. As the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief charity, our network members supply food to more than 25 million Americans each year, including 9 million children and 3 million seniors. Serving the entire United States, more than 200 member food banks operate 63,000 agencies that address hunger in all of its forms. For more information on how you can fight hunger in your community and across the country, visit www.feedingamerica.org.

About the Grain Foods Foundation
The Grain Foods Foundation, a joint venture of members of the milling, baking and allied industries formed in 2004, is dedicated to advancing the public's understanding of the beneficial role grain-based foods play in the human diet. Directed by a board of trustees, funding for the Foundation is provided through voluntary donations from private grain-based food companies and is supplemented by industry associations. For more information about the Grain Foods Foundation, visit www.gowiththegrain.org, or find GoWithTheGrain on Facebook and Twitter.