NBTY donates more than 420,000 pounds of protein bars to Island Harvest Food Bank

HAUPPAUGE, N.Y. - NBTY has donated 421,315 pounds of nutrition bars to Island Harvest Food Bank, which, in turn, will supplement approximately 350,000 meals to Long Islanders struggling with food insecurity, the company announced Thursday. The donation, which consists of NBTY's nutritionally-rich Balance Bars and Pure Protein Bars, represents the largest single donation ever made in the history of the National Association of Letter Carriers' Stamp Out Hunger Campaign.

 

According to Randi Shubin Dresner, president and CEO, Island Harvest Food Bank, there is a direct correlation between hunger and health. "Food insecure individuals are disproportionally affected by chronic diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes," said Shubin Dresner. A 2014 study, Hunger in America 2014, found that 50% of households accessing food through Long Island's food banks have at least one member living with high blood pressure, and 21% have diabetes. "NBTY's generous donation is consistent with our goal of providing healthy, nutritious food and supplemental products to food insecure Long Islanders accessing the food pantries and other feeding programs we serve throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties."

 

"Today we are donating over 421,000 pounds of food – in the form of nutrition bars from Pure Protein and Balance Bar , two of our trusted brands, to Island Harvest in support of the NALC Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive," said Sonya Soutus, SVP and chief public affairs and communications officer for NBTY. "Through Island Harvest, which works with partner agencies nationwide, our bars will be distributed to hundreds of thousands of people in need – and we could not be more proud to help."

 

"The NALC salutes NBTY for its corporate leadership in support of the Stamp Out Hunger food drive," said Walter Barton, president, NALC Branch 6000. "NBTY's generous  and historic donation will go a long way in providing supplemental nutrition for individuals and families facing hunger."

 

The donation was announced at Island Harvest Food Bank's recent kickoff to the annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive, the nation's largest single-day food drive held on May 14.

 

NBTY's Balance Bars provide the ideal ratio of carbohydrates, protein, and dietary fat. Its Pure Protein bars provide supplemental protein, an essential nutrient necessary for the structure, function and regulation of the body's organs and tissues.