Pennsylvania Beef Foundation Officially Launches Beefing Up Backpacks to Provide Protein-Packed Support for Growing Minds

GORDONSVILLE, PA – June 2, 2025 – The Pennsylvania Beef Foundation proudly announces the official launch of its Beefing Up Backpacks program, an initiative designed to fight child hunger and improve nutrition by adding a high-quality beef stick to weekend backpack food programs throughout the state.

The launch event took place on Friday, May 30, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Stoltzfus Meats Headquarters located in Gordonsville, PA, Lancaster County. The event included welcome remarks by Nichole Hockenberry, PA Beef Foundation, speeches from program founders, insights from local supporters, a ribbon cutting ceremony, and a facility tour to celebrate the PA beef industry’s fight against food insecurity on behalf of the Commonwealth’s youth.

Beefing Up Backpacks aims to address a critical nutritional gap. While weekend backpack programs provide essential support to children facing food insecurity, less than 2% of the food distributed includes animal protein. This program delivers 1-ounce shelf-stable beef sticks to children, offering essential nutrients to aid growth and development.

"This is about more than food — it’s about investing in our communities, supporting beef producers, and making sure no child goes hungry,” said Nichole Hockenberry, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Beef Foundation. “We are proud to launch this effort in partnership with Stoltzfus Meats and many other partners committed to strengthening food access across the Commonwealth.”

Beefing Up Backpacks has partnered with CHOP Out Hunger, whose mission is to create an entire generation that doesn’t know hunger through innovative and collaborative outreach partnerships. The first round of PA-sourced, PA-manufactured protein packed beef sticks will be in the hands of Towanda School District in Bradford County which serves 287 students with backpacks weekly. Annually, 10,332 bags will be distributed to students throughout the district.

“I’m incredibly grateful to the Pennsylvania Beef Foundation for leading this effort to bring high-quality nutrition to children across our state. Towanda was the very first district CHOP Out Hunger ever served, so launching this partnership there is a deeply meaningful, full-circle moment for us. Thanks to the Foundation’s vision and generosity, we’re not just filling backpacks, we’re filling them with dignity, nourishment, and hope for a brighter future.” Dani Ruhf, Founder/CEO CHOP Out Hunger.

This effort is made possible by generous support from Stoltzfus Meats, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture courtesy of the Beef Producers Working Group through the Ag Excellence Line Item, JBS, Excalibur Seasoning, WINPAK, ViskoTeepak, and private donors.

The PA Beef Council invites you to be part of the solution and join them in providing critical nutrition to Pennsylvania’s children. Donations will be accepted by checks made payable to: Pennsylvania Beef Foundation, 205 S Juliana Street Bedford, PA 15522. Please place "Beefing Up Backpacks" in the memo.

For more information on the Beefing Up Backpacks program or to learn how you can support, visit:

pabeef.org/about-us/pennsylvania-beef-foundation

About the Pennsylvania Beef Foundation

The PA Beef Foundation established in 2024 is a 501c3 non-profit housed within the PA Beef Council and is committed to supporting beef industry advancement and community health through education, research, and outreach initiatives. Beefing Up Backpacks is its latest mission-driven project to help children across Pennsylvania.

Media Contact: Nichole Hockenberry, Executive Director, PA Beef Foundation & PA Beef Council, 814-623-2698, [email protected] Website: www.pabeef.org

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The Pennsylvania Beef Council is a producer-controlled and funded organization, which administers the Beef Checkoff Program in Pennsylvania. The Beef Checkoff Program assesses $1 per head on the sale of live domestic and imported cattle, in addition to a comparable assessment on imported beef and beef products. Checkoff revenues may be used for promotion, education and research programs to improve the marketing climate for beef.