Land O’Lakes Inc. is donating $1 million toward hunger relief investment aimed at supporting rural communities ahead of the holiday season. Grants will go to 15 Feeding America partner food banks across Land O’Lakes’ member-owner and employee footprint, as well as to Feeding America. This commitment effectively doubles the cooperative’s 2025 hunger relief impact, building on nearly 4 million meals already provided this year.
Food banks nationwide report increased demand from their local communities, and need can rise even further during the holiday season. Rural food banks and food shelves, in particular, face higher rates of food insecurity and have to meet the need across a larger geographic area.
“As a farmer-owned cooperative, hunger relief is central to our philanthropic mission,” said Land O’Lakes CEO and President Beth Ford. “While we support these efforts throughout the year, we’re proud to double down on our hunger contributions during the holiday season to do our part to serve families when the need is so incredibly high.”
“Everyone in our communities deserves to feel the peace of mind of gathering around a full table, especially during the holidays,” said Linda Nageotte, Feeding America President and Chief Operating Officer. “With tens of millions of people in the U.S. facing hunger, we are grateful for partners like Land O’Lakes who understand this urgent need. Through their generosity, neighbors facing hunger can bring meals home this holiday season and beyond.”
Between January and September, Land O’Lakes helped provide nearly 4 million meals through cash and in-kind product contributions to Feeding America and the network of 200 partner food banks. With today’s announcement, the cooperative will double that impact by helping provide an additional 4.5 million meals to close out the year. The investment includes:
- $1,000,000 in grants to 15 Feeding America partner food banks aligned with Land O’Lakes’ member and employee footprint, as well as to Feeding America
- 250,000 pounds of fresh product donations distributed to 10 Feeding America food banks
- Over 800,000 pounds of additional product donations distributed through the Feeding America network via Spoiler Alert
Funding is designated specifically for programs serving rural communities, such as mobile food pantry distributions, securing product for rural food shelves, or logistics expenses to transport food greater distances.
Demand for food assistance rises consistently at the end of the year as families prepare for winter and the holidays. This additional support will help regional food banks maintain reliable access to food during a time of year when more households seek assistance.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, $1 can provide 1.7 to 4 meals to households facing hunger through the food banks supported; $1 also provides at least 10 meals secured by Feeding America on behalf of partner food banks. For product donations, 1.2 pounds is the equivalent of one meal.
