Valencia-based Sunkist Growers is donating fresh citrus to health care workers amid the current health crisis.
Last week, the citrus cooperative delivered California-grown lemons to Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital.
“Hospital staff are on the front lines of COVID-19, and we wanted to show our appreciation by delivering a source of vitamin C to Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital and other hospitals in the area,” Jim Phillips, president and CEO, said in a prepared statement. “We want to make sure those fighting the good fight stay healthy and have access to fresh citrus.”
In addition, Sunkist announced recently that it would donate more than 260,000 pieces of fresh citrus fruit, which is an essential immune-boosting fruit, according to the National Institute on Health, to California schools, food banks and hospitals.
“We are overwhelmed by the generous support of financial donations, personal protective equipment and staff meals we are receiving from our community during this challenging time,” Marlee Lauffer, president of the Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital Foundation, said in the statement. “The lemons from Sunkist were a huge treat for our staff and physicians, and we appreciate the relationship we have with Sunkist and its many employees. Henry Mayo is so very grateful to all who generously support us.”
Founded in 1893, the cooperative is owned by thousands of family farmers growing citrus in California and Arizona.
“Our grower-owners are proud to be part of this community and thankful to the health care workers who are confronting the hardest part of this pandemic,” Phillips added. “We extend our deepest gratitude to them during these trying times.”
For more information, visit sunkist.com.
