NEW ORLEANS (December 16, 2010) — Tyson Foods' Food Service division today announced it will donate 30,000 pounds of food to two metro New Orleans organizations, Café Reconcile and the Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans. Donations are being made in support of the International Foodservice Editorial Council’s (IFEC) community outreach efforts in New Orleans during its annual conference.

“Times are more difficult than ever, and we are grateful that Tyson has partnered with us to support our philanthropy in New Orleans,” said Carol Lally, executive director, IFEC. “As the first truckload donation in IFEC’s more than 50-year history, this donation from Tyson is not only generous but also a milestone.”

IFEC held its annual meeting Nov. 8–11, 2010 in New Orleans and selected Café Reconcile — a New Orleans-based nonprofit that teaches at-risk children and youths all aspects of running a restaurant — as the beneficiary of its community service efforts.

The council donated $1,500 to the Café Reconcile Development fund. In addition, IFEC donated more than 600 cookbooks to the Southern Food & Beverage Museum. Tyson Food Service extended the outreach in New Orleans with food donations to Café Reconcile and the New Orleans Food Bank.

“Supporting organizations such as these is an integral part of our corporate philosophy at Tyson,” said Rodger Starnes, vice president of foodservice marketing and customer development at Tyson Foods. “We feel honored and humbled to have the opportunity to make an impact in the lives of others by providing donations to two notable organizations — one which feeds those in need and another which helps transform the lives of young adults by opening up doors to careers in hospitality.”

Tyson Food Service started with a base donation, then further increased donations to the two organizations by 100 pounds for every “like” received on the Tyson Food Service Facebook page (www.facebook.com/TysonFoodService) between November 8 and November 30. Tyson Food Service will split the 30,000-pound donation between Café Reconcile and the Second Harvest Food Bank.

In a similar challenge conducted in October, Tyson Food Service donated 26,000 pounds to the Atlanta Community Food Bank, Teens at Work and the Hospitality and Culinary Arts Academy of Redan High School. Tyson Food Service made a base donation of 10,000 pounds to the three organizations and garnered a total of 160 new “likes” on its Facebook page for an additional 16,000 pounds.

About the Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans
Founded in 1982, the Second Harvest Food Bank is dedicated to leading the fight against hunger in south Louisiana through food distribution, advocacy, education and disaster response. Last year, Second Harvest Food Bank distributed more than 24 million pounds of meals. http://no-hunger.org/.

About Café Reconcile
Café Reconcile is a nonprofit restaurant that uses innovative strategies to provide life skills and job training to youth from at-risk communities in the New Orleans area. Since the restaurant opened in 2000, more than 500 young people (ages 16–22) have successfully completed the program and moved into permanent jobs in the New Orleans’ food service industry. Focusing on the kind of “soul food” for which New Orleans is known, the restaurant has earned high praise from local and national critics. For more information about how to donate or support Café Reconcile, please visit www.reconcileneworleans.com.

About IFEC
The International Foodservice Editorial Council is the association for writers, editors and public relations professionals working in and with the foodservice media. IFEC establishes professional standards among business-to-business editorial and communications professionals and offers conferences and other activities to support professional development. The organization provides a climate that promotes the open exchange of ideas and the building of positive working relationships. www.ifeconline.com.

About Tyson Foods
Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE:TSN), founded in 1935 with headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas, is one of the world’s largest processors and marketers of chicken, beef and pork, the second-largest food production 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 and is the recognized market leader in the retail and foodservice markets it serves. Tyson provides products and service to customers throughout the United States and more than 90 countries. The company has approximately 115,000 Team Members employed at more than 400 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.

                                                                       ###

IMAGE #1: Pictured, from left, Kimberly Reddin, Member, IFEC Community Service Committee; Mary Humann, Co-chair, IFEC Community Service Committee; Donna Bowie, Director of Programs, Café Reconcile; David Giardina, General Manager, Café Reconcile; John Scroggins, Co-chair, IFEC Community Service Committee; Cate Puzo, Member, IFEC Community Service Committee

IMAGE #2: Pictured, from left, Kimberly Reddin, Member, IFEC Community Service Committee; Mary Humann, Co-chair, IFEC Community Service Committee; Annette Leblanc, Chief Financial Officer, Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans; John Scroggins, Co-chair, IFEC Community Service Committee; Cate Puzo, Member, IFEC Community Service Committee