New National Hunger Relief Partnership Launches in Nation’s Capital; Tyson and America’s Second Announce Three-year National Partnership

WASHINGTON D.C., May 10, 2006 – Millions of people at risk of hunger across the United States will add high-quality protein to their plate, thanks to a six-million pound donation of chicken by Tyson Foods, Inc., to America’s Second Harvest – The Nation’s Food Bank Network. The donation is the largest commitment of protein ever given in the fight against hunger in America.

Tyson Foods and America’s Second Harvest also announced today a three-year partnership, with Tyson Foods pledging at least 10 million pounds of protein to the nationwide food bank network and charitable domestic hunger-relief organization. The network consists of more than 200 food banks that provide food and grocery products to agencies that serve people at the greatest risk of hunger.

“We face significant challenges in the fight against hunger,” said U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln, co-founder of the U.S. Senate Hunger Caucus. “I’d like to commend Tyson Foods and America’s Second Harvest, who have come together to form this important partnership to fight hunger in America’s communities. This collaborative partnership is a great example of how charitable organizations and corporations can come together to gain significant ground towards our shared goal of ending hunger in America.”

The six-million pound donation will make a significant impact on the fight against hunger, according to Vicki B. Escarra, president and CEO of America’s Second Harvest. “We have thus far been able to distribute 4.4 million pounds of the donation to dozens of food banks from New York to Honolulu, helping us serve working families, children at our Kids Cafe programs, senior citizens, the disabled, the homeless and victims of domestic violence.”

The Second Harvest Network of food banks and food-rescue organizations provides emergency hunger-relief services to an estimated 25.3 million people each year, or roughly nine percent of all Americans, according to the recently released report Hunger in America 2006. This represents an 8% increase since Hunger in America 2001, and an 18% increase since Hunger in America 1997.

“It’s very important to our team members to assure a ready supply of much needed protein to people in critical need of nourishment,” said John Tyson, CEO of Tyson Foods. “Through this donation and our partnership with America’s Second Harvest, we want to continue making an impact where we can,” he added.

Protein is one of the most efficient and long-lasting sources of energy. The chicken donated today is one of the most concentrated sources of protein—an essential nutrient of life. The average person — man, woman or child — needs to eat about 0.4 grams of protein for every pound of body weight, every day. This is approximately equivalent to 50–65 grams (6–8 ounces) of chicken, beef, or pork. In addition to being good sources of protein, meat and poultry supply other essential nutrients (e.g., B6, B12, iron and zinc) that are important to good health.

Tyson’s Ongoing Commitment to Hunger Relief
Since Tyson’s partnership with hunger relief agencies began in 2000, the company has provided more than 35 million pounds of chicken, beef and pork – supplying more than 201 million meals with essential protein – to benefit more than 400 hunger-relief organizations across the U.S. Tyson has made a significant impact leading the fight against hunger through its relationships with nationwide organizations. For example, Share Our Strength (SOS) is a national nonprofit that inspires and organizes individuals and businesses to share their strengths in innovative ways to help end childhood hunger in America and abroad. Tyson helps to sponsor the SOS Operation Frontline, a nutrition education program that fights childhood hunger by teaching families how to make healthy and budget-wise food choices. USDA information indicates that 12% of Americans are food insecure; meaning their access to enough food is limited by a lack of money and other resources, according to its 2004 report by the Economic Research Service. Tyson supports programs to include in-kind contributions, team volunteer programs, advertising and marketing support, and national sponsorships. It’s through collaboration and partnerships of government, charitable organizations and corporations that will help organizations accomplish their missions.

America’s Second Harvest–The Nation’s Food Bank Network is the largest charitable domestic hunger-relief organization in the country with a Network of more than 200 Member food banks and food-rescue organizations serving all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The America’s Second Harvest Network secures and distributes more than 2 billion pounds of donated food and grocery products annually; and supports approximately 50,000 local charitable agencies operating more than 94,000 programs including food pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, after-school programs and Kids Cafes. Last year, the America’s Second Harvest Network provided food assistance to more than 25 million low-income hungry people in the United States, including nearly 9 million children and nearly 3 million seniors. For more on the America’s Second Harvest Network, please visit www.secondharvest.org.

Share Our Strength, one of the nation’s leading anti-hunger organizations, is fueled by a simple but powerful philosophy: It takes more than food to fight hunger. The organization mobilizes thousands of individuals to organize events, host dinners, teach cooking and nutrition classes to low-income families and serve as anti-hunger advocates. Share Our Strength believes it takes each of us, sharing our strength, to make a difference. Since its founding in 1984, Share Our Strength has raised more than $163 million to support more than 1,000 anti-hunger, anti-poverty organizations worldwide. For more information, please visit www.strength.org

Tyson Foods, Inc. [NYSE: TSN], founded in 1935 with headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas, is the world’s largest processor and marketer of chicken, beef, and pork, the second-largest food company in the Fortune 500 and a member of the S&P 500. The company produces a wide variety of protein-based and prepared food products, which are marketed under the “Powered by Tyson™” strategy. Tyson is the recognized market leader in the retail and foodservice markets it serves, providing products and service to customers throughout the United States and more than 80 countries. The company has approximately 114,000 Team Members employed at more than 300 facilities and offices in the United States and around the world. Through its Core Values, Code of Conduct and Team Member Bill of Rights, Tyson strives to operate with integrity and trust and is committed to creating value for its shareholders, customers and Team Members. The company also strives to be faith-friendly, provide a safe work environment and serve as stewards of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it.

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Gary Mickelson

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Tyson Foods, Inc.

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