In recognition of completing the first year of its “On Our Way to Ending Hunger” program, Hormel Foods Corp. announced that donations to hunger-relief organizations throughout the United States and abroad totaled more than $5 million during its fiscal year 2011.

Formalized in 2010, On Our Way to Ending Hunger focuses on collaborating with retailers, nonprofits and government agencies on hunger relief efforts; nourishing the hungry domestically and internationally; and motivating individuals and corporate partners to take action to fight hunger.

“Hormel Foods is committed to combating the persistence of hunger in the United States and the world," said Julie H. Craven, vice president of corporate communications at Hormel Foods. “Through the On Our Way to Ending Hunger program, Hormel Foods assisted two hunger relief organizations in Iowa and Minnesota, provided food to areas hit hardest by natural disaster, shipped 1.3 million cans of Spammy, a shelf-stable poultry product fortified with vitamins and minerals, to supplement the local diet of the malnourished in Guatemala and donated funds to local food banks and charities in 16 U.S. communities where the company has manufacturing facilities.”

Because of the company’s strong presence in Minnesota and Iowa, Hormel Foods helped to address hunger-relief efforts in those states by donating $240,000 to local organizations dedicated to fighting hunger in the region.

• Hunger-Free Minnesota is a statewide coalition of community and corporate organizations focused on closing Minnesota’s missing meals gap by providing 100 million additional meals, annually and sustainably, for Minnesotans in need by 2014. The purpose is to ensure that no Minnesotan will go without food in their time of need, and to get food resources to the people that need it most.

• Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) is an interfaith organization that provides a common means of responding to basic human needs and serves as a liaison between member congregations to accomplish good in the Greater Des Moines community. Since 2009, DMARC has researched the hunger problem in Polk County, Iowa, with a focus on understanding the hunger problem in the community so that a plan can be developed to find a solution in the most effective manner.

Additionally, Hormel Foods donated $110,000 to local hunger-relief organizations in 16 communities where it has U.S. manufacturing facilities to combat hunger in each community. “This program allowed employees to directly affect the hunger problem in the locations they live and work,” Craven said. “We are pleased with the results and we plan to continue it in 2012.”

Using its strength as a global food producer, in 2008 Hormel Foods developed Spammy to address malnutrition in Guatemala. The country has one of the highest poverty rates in Latin America and is in great need for food and other essential items for living. Working with its international partner, Food for the Poor, Hormel Foods shipped more than 1.3 million cans of Spammy in fiscal year 2011 to assist in the efforts to solve this problem.

During this past spring and summer, the United States endured one of its most active severe weather periods. To help with disaster-recovery efforts across the United States, Hormel Foods provided almost 500,000 Hormel Compleats microwave meals to local Feeding America food banks.

The areas below received the product donations.

1. Southeast — Tornados hit Alabama and other parts of the southeast United States on April 27 leaving residents without access to their homes or food for days.

2. Joplin, Mo. — On May 22 an F-5 category tornado devastated the town and left many homes destroyed.

3. Historic flood levels ravaged Minot, N.D., on June 23 leaving hundreds displaced and without access to nourishment.

4. Northeast — In late August, Hurricane Irene knocked out power and forced people from their homes all along the east coast.

Source: Hormel Foods Corp.