Heroes Pantry Addresses Food Insecurity for Military, Veterans
Food for Health, a program under the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, has launched the Heroes Pantry in San Diego to alleviate the burden of food insecurity among veterans, active duty servicemembers, and military families exacerbated by the high cost of living, especially for those facing health challenges or needing to cover medical expenses.
The new Heroes Pantry will offer fresh vegetables and fruits sourced directly from farms, with a focus on providing healthy options tailored to veterans with specific dietary needs. It is open and free to all veterans and active duty members. It will operate bi-weekly initially and expand to weekly distributions as needed.
Research from the Military Family Advisory Network reveals that food insecurity among military and veteran families is twice the national average, affecting one in six households. RAND reports that 1.4 million veterans struggle to access adequate food, leading to severe health implications.
“It is unacceptable that those who have served and protected our nation are going hungry,” said Carlos Marroquin, national director of food for health programs at AHF. “Veterans and active military personnel have sacrificed their well-being for our safety, and it is our duty to ensure they have access to nutritious food.”
“Veterans should not be forced to choose between basic necessities like rent and food,” added Wendy Calderon, VFW Post commander. “The rising cost of living has deprived many of them of a healthy lifestyle. The Heroes Pantry aims to provide assistance and promote wellness among those who have selflessly served our country.”
AIDS Healthcare Foundation, the world’s largest HIV/AIDS healthcare organization, provides cutting-edge medicine and advocacy to more than 1.9 million individuals across 45 countries, including the U.S. and in Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, the Asia/Pacific Region, and Eastern Europe. To learn more about AHF, visit us online at AIDShealth.org, find us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok, and subscribe to our AHFter Hours podcast.
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Southern Glazer’s Promotes Kenrick to President of West Region
Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits—the world’s preeminent distributor of beverage alcohol—has promoted Lewis Kenrick to the role of president, West Region, effective March 1.
In his most recent role, Kenrick served as executive vice president, general manager of California. He will now report to John Wittig, Chief Commercial Officer, and is filling the position of Patrick Daul who recently announced his retirement. As President, West Region, Kenrick will be responsible for leading all business activities in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, New Mexico, California, Nevada, and Hawaii.
“Lewis’ commercial leadership experience in California, our largest market, helps make him the ideal successor for our sizeable West Region,” said Wittig. “I am confident that he will build on Patrick’s great leadership and continue to drive success for customers and suppliers well into the future.”
In 2008, Kenrick commenced his career at Southern Wine & Spirits, pioneering Trade Development for Chains across California. He soon stepped into roles of increasing responsibility, including Pacific Wine & Spirits vice president, sales manager for chains in 2010, followed by his appointment to vice president, general manager, PWS of California in 2013. In his next role as executive vice president, general manager, PWS of California and Hawaii, Kenrick led a dedicated division of over 500 sales professionals representing the prestigious portfolios of Diageo, Moët Hennessy USA, and Nolet Spirits. Prior to his tenure at Southern Glazer’s, Kenrick honed his expertise at Diageo, with roles at Chateau & Estates in Napa, Calif., and later in the National Account organization.
An announcement for Lewis Kenrick’s successor will be forthcoming.
Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits is the world’s preeminent distributor of beverage alcohol, building brands for moments that matter. The multi-generational, family-owned company has operations in 44 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and Canada, as well as brokerage operations through its WEBB Banks division in the Caribbean, Central and South America. Southern Glazer’s urges all retail customers and adult consumers to market, sell, serve, and enjoy its products responsibly. For more information visit www.southernglazers.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @sgwinespirits.
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Milkboy to Promote New White Chocolate Bar at Natural Products Expo West
Milkboy Swiss Chocolates will showcase its newest White Chocolate with Bourbon Vanilla and Raspberries bar at Natural Products Expo West from March 13-15 at the Anaheim Convention Center. From their Swiss Chalet-themed booth #N247 in the North Hall, Milkboy will also preview other upcoming seasonal chocolate flavors.The new White Chocolate bar joins a product line that includes other flavors like Finest Alpine Milk, Alpine Milk with Roasted Almonds, Alpine Milk with Crunchy Caramel and Sea Salt, White Chocolate with Bourbon Vanilla, Extra Dark 85% Cocoa, Finest 72% Dark Chocolate with Fresh Roasted Coffee, and Finest 72% Dark Chocolate with Crisp
y Mint. All bars have a suggested retail price of $4.99.
“After seeing the incredible feedback for our original white chocolate bar, we were inspired to make the new White Chocolate with Bourbon Vanilla and Raspberries bar. It pairs bourbon vanilla with all-natural cocoa butter and raspberries for a decadent taste experience,” said Milkboy founder Emanuel Schmerling. “We use 100 percent all-natural Madagascan vanilla, Swiss Alpine milk and sustainably-sourced cocoa beans to produce this exceptional bar and we invite everyone to stop by our booth for a taste.”
Milkboy Swiss Chocolates are sold at many specialty food retailers, including Whole Foods Market and Sprouts Farmers Market locations. Milkboy Chocolates are also available online at https://milkboy.com/ and on Amazon.
Milkboy Swiss Chocolates is on a mission to source the finest quality, natural and sustainable ingredients in order to create extraordinary chocolate and practice traditional Swiss chocolate manufacturing without compromise or shortcuts. Chocolates are produced in Switzerland from milk sourced from the Swiss Alpine region.
Milkboy Swiss Chocolates is a five-time sofi Award winner for Best Chocolates, including a 2021 sofi Gold Award for the Best Milk Chocolate, and five-time Great Taste Award winner. The chocolates are gluten-free, non-GMO, soy-free and certified Kosher.
Milkboy chocolate uses only Rainforest Alliance-certified cocoa in its chocolate products and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper for its packaging. For more information, please visit https://milkboy.com/. Follow Milkboy on Instagram or Facebook @milkboychocolate.
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