NORTHGLENN, COLO. - Niman Ranch has partnered with Edible Communities, a network of 80-plus locally focused food magazines to honor local food heroes with a new initiative called Impacting Lives Beyond the Plate.
Edible magazine publishers across the United States and Canada will collect and select nominees of food industry members going above and beyond in their communities to feature in their local publications. For every submission made, Niman Ranch will donate a serving of their certified-humane meat to coronavirus (COVID-19) relief organizations.
“We wanted to celebrate the many people who are doing so much for their communities during a challenging time,” said Chris Oliviero, general manager of Niman Ranch. “We are seeing food heroes step up along the food chain—chefs, farmers, truckers, meat cutters, grocery store clerks—to help their neighbors in need. Our partnership with Edible Communities puts a well-deserved spotlight on these heroes, while also supporting our network of family farmers to bring more wholesome meats to those in need through our donations."
The first three food heroes to be honored are:
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Kirsten Eckerman – an emergency room nurse, Niman Ranch hog farmer, wife, mother and community leader. Eckerman is also an advocate for connecting people who have limited resources to quality local foods — especially those in rural areas. When she began to hear of her neighbors in rural Wisconsin facing food insecurity due to COVID-19 layoffs, she sprang into action.
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Brandon Rosenberg – the third generation involved in the family business, Miami Purveyors, delivering premium meats to the Miami area’s top restaurants and boutique retail stores. As Brandon saw the human health and economic impact of COVID-19 quickly spread throughout his community, he knew his family business had a responsibility to help support their staff, customers and neighbors through this unprecedented time.
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Chef Patrick Mulvaney – a steadfast champion of the “restaurant staff is family” ethos, Mulvaney didn’t hesitate to show it when the COVID-19 pandemic began disrupting the industry earlier this year. Knowing that people still need to eat, and chefs still need to cook, he transformed his B & L kitchen to create the Family Meals for Four program. Mulvaney and his crew, while working with all social distancing protocols in place, are creating meals for low income seniors, students and families in need.
“We are proud to partner with an organization like Niman Ranch whose core values match ours so well — the support of family farmers, the humane treatment of animals and care for natural resources,” said Tracey Ryder, co-founder of Edible Communities.
Nominations can be submitted to Edible Communities here until May 31.
