May 1, 2012

In order to enhance the company's disaster relief efforts, Tyson Foods, Inc. developed a special mobile feeding unit.

The 53-foot semi-trailer premiered this morning in New York City during a live segment on "Fox & Friends," cable TV's top-ranked morning news show.

The trailer will serve as a central supply unit at disaster sites to support the feeding efforts of multiple Tyson "cook teams" that bring grills and Tyson volunteers to help feed those in need.

The trailer is outfitted with enough refrigerated space to store up to 20,000 pounds of chicken, beef or pork, a 5,500-watt generator and satellite communications. It also bears the new name of Tyson Foods' disaster relief feeding programme, "Meals that Matter," which reflects the company's long-standing practice of feeding disaster survivors and relief workers.

"For decades we've responded to disasters in or near our plant communities in 26 states by doing what we do best: feeding people," said John Tyson, chairman of Tyson Foods. "When disasters strike, our team members mobilise and bring in grills, food and volunteers to help out, sometimes for multiple days or even weeks. Our new 'Meals that Matter' truck will help those teams by giving them all the supplies they need to make it easier to help."

With the exception of a grill, the "Meals that Matter" unit has everything needed to set up and run a cooking site including: full refrigeration, tents and lights, sanitation equipment, cooking and serving supplies, a generator, hydraulic lift and even a Wi-Fi hot spot for internet connections via satellite. Mobile grills will be supplied, as needed, by Tyson's plant locations. More than 40 plant sites are currently capable of responding to disasters by sending grills and Tyson volunteers to cook food.

Tyson Foods will work closely with the American Red Cross during future disaster relief efforts. In February, Tyson signed a formal statement of collaboration with the Red Cross, agreeing to become a Disaster Responder Partner of the organisation.

Tyson Foods, Inc., founded in 1935 with headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas, is one of the world's largest processors and marketers of chicken, beef and pork, the second-largest food production company in the Fortune 500 and a member of the S&P 500.