Staters donates fruit to local food banks

Stater Bros. Markets has donated 20,000 apples to Feeding America Riverside/San Bernardino.

That donation, part of the Take a Bite Out of Hunger program sponsored by FirstFruits Marketing of Washington, will help local food banks provide fresh fruit to undersupplied families, according to a statement released yesterday.

“No one should ever go hungry, and everyone should have access to a balanced and nutritious diet with fresh fruits and vegetables,” said Nancy Negrette, chairman and president Stater Bros. Charities, in the statement. “This important work can only be accomplished through partnerships with great organizations like FirstFruits Marketing and Feeding America Riverside/San Bernardino.”

Nearly 12 percent of all U.S. households are “food insecure,” meaning they don’t have sufficient access to nutritious food, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Based in San Bernardino, Stater Bros. employs 18,000 people and operates 170 stores throughout Southern California, according to the statement.