Governor Cuomo Announces Partnership with Walmart, Wegmans, FreshDirect and the Coca-Cola Company to Feed Over 32,000 New Yorkers this Thanksgiving

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that New York State is partnering with Walmart, Wegmans, FreshDirect and The Coca-Cola Company this Thanksgiving Week to help deliver meals to feed more than 32,000 people statewide.

"New Yorkers have a long and proud history of helping neighbors in need, and Thanksgiving provides a special opportunity to give back and reflect on what we are thankful for," Governor Cuomo said. "I am proud to partner with these organizations to provide thousands of families throughout the state with a warm meal. I encourage all New Yorkers to find ways to give back this week and throughout the holiday season."

Thanks to generous food donations from Walmart and Wegmans, meals are being assembled and packaged to feed over 32,000 New Yorkers statewide. The meals include turkey, stuffing, pumpkin pie, vegetables, cranberry sauce and potatoes. Additionally, The Coca-Cola Company donated 3,000 two-liter or "family-sized" bottles of assorted beverages to be distributed with the meals. FreshDirect has provided 3,500 boxes to ensure the meals are properly packaged and delivered.

As the nation's largest grocer, last year alone, Walmart donated more than $25 million across the state of New York in cash and in-kind donations in the fight against hunger. This figure includes more than 12 million pounds of food- the equivalent of more than 10 million meals.

Jason Klipa, Director of Public Affairs for Walmart in New York said, "Forty two million Americans -- one in eight of us -- struggle with hunger according to the USDA. As the nation's largest grocer, we're strongly committed to being a part of the solution in the fight against hunger in New York and across the nation. We're grateful for the opportunity to once again be involved in events like today as part of our goal to help provide meals to those that don't have enough to eat."

Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. Chairman Danny Wegman said, "Supporting hunger relief efforts throughout the year is a priority at Wegmans. We are happy to partner with Governor Cuomo at this special time of year to be sure that families in our community can gather around the table for a warm holiday meal."

Paul Mulligan, Co-Owner, Liberty Coca-Cola Beverages LLC, said, "Coca-Cola has a rich history of giving back and taking care of the communities where we live and work. We are New Yorkers too - and are continually grateful for Governor Cuomo's leadership to help families throughout the state this holiday season."

FreshDirect CEO and Co-Founder Jason Ackerman said, "FreshDirect is proud to assist Governor Cuomo on this very important initiative. We are committed to giving back to the communities we serve and are truly honored to be a part of the effort to ensure that every family in New York has a memorable Thanksgiving." 

FreshDirect

FreshDirect is a food tech company and the Northeast's leading online fresh food grocer, delivering directly to customers throughout seven states, including the New York City and Philadelphia metropolitan areas, and the District of Columbia. FreshDirect is committed to sourcing the freshest and best-tasting meat, fish, produce, and specialty items through direct relationships with suppliers, growers, and farmers. 

In 2016, FreshDirect expanded its portfolio with the launch of FoodKick, an on-demand business that caters to the needs of urban dwellers with a curated selection of food, alcohol, and essentials—all delivered in as little as an hour. Launched in 2002, FreshDirect is a privately held company headquartered in Long Island City, NY. For more information, visit www.freshdirect.com or www.foodkick.com.