~ September marks the start of Hunger Action Month, a month-long campaign to raise awareness about hunger in the United States and promote ways for people to get involved and help those in need. To address hunger in the Mesa community, Fry's Food Stores donated $10,000 to Mesa Urban Garden today as part of Kroger's Zero Hunger | Zero Waste social impact plan.

Monica Garnes, president of Fry's Food Stores, said: "Hunger Action Month is an opportunity for Fry's to raise awareness about food insecurity in our communities and help those in need through a variety of outreach efforts. Fry's is honored to partner with Mesa Urban Garden to create and maintain access to healthy food all year long."

The donation was awarded through the Kroger Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity founded in 2018 with the goal of ending hunger in communities and eliminating waste across the company by 2025. The funds will be used to support beds dedicated to growing produce for the United Food Bank.

More on The Arizonar

• Organ Stop Pizza Partners with The Joy Bus and Wow Wheat Beer to Help Cancer Patients
• An Equality Health Medical Director to Speak at Contexture Health Data of the Future Summit
• Mesa: Chris Hassert Appointed to the Arizona Reconsultation Committee
• Mesa Water Resources wins AMWA Sustainable Water Utility Management Award
• Celebrate Mesa Offers Fall Family Fun

Mesa Urban Garden is a community garden that offers 'garden ready' beds for lease to the public. Located near downtown Mesa, it was once a vacant parcel until 2011 when City of Mesa requested proposals from local organizations who might be interested in creating a community garden. The location of the property is in a neighborhood that has limited access to fresh food, making it an ideal spot for Mesa Urban Garden (MUG) - a nonprofit that specializes in sustainable project management - stepped forward.

Mayor John Giles said: "Food that is grown and produced locally helps reduce environmental impacts. It also offers equitable and affordable access to healthy food." He added: "That's why it is a focus area of Mesa's Climate Action Plan, and we appreciate Fry's Food Stores for supporting a strong example of how to grow food in our urban areas."

The City leases the land to MUG for a nominal fee with some beds set aside as community beds sponsored by donors like Fry's Food Stores. Volunteers plant and tend these beds while harvested fresh produce is donated to United Food Bank located nearby.

More on The Arizonar

• U.S. Air Force Selects the Latest Integris Composites Innovation
• California Pools Opens Austin North Office, The Company's 3rd Texas Location
• Century Fasteners Corp. and Cherry Aerospace at International Fastener Expo 2023
• SafeBreak® Vascular FDA Cleared for All Vascular Access Lines on Patients Two Weeks of Age and Up
• Introducing FixxAI: Your Next-Generation AI Co-Pilot for Home Improvement and Repair

Fry's Food Stores has been serving Arizonans since 1960 with over 21,000 associates operating 127 stores across the state as part of The Kroger Family of Companies (NYSE: KR). In 2022 alone they provided over 13 million meals to Arizona's hungry families while diverting 106 million pounds of waste from Arizona's landfills as part of their Zero Hunger | Zero Waste social impact plan.

Mesa Urban Garden celebrates its 10th year this year with more than 80 garden beds including one raised bed that is wheelchair-accessible and suitable for gardeners with decreased mobility. It serves as an important gathering place for gardening events, classes, celebrations, music, art, entertainment and more – all aimed at inspiring sustainable urban living through education, community involvement and creative cooperation. To learn more about the garden or rent a bed visit facebook.com/MesaUrbanGarden

---

Show All News | Report Violation