IDFA staff members joined Kraft Heinz Company Foundation employees, members of Congress and trade association colleagues yesterday in packaging more than 7,500 nutritious meals for distribution to a developing country in need as part of ongoing efforts to combat global malnutrition. Kraft Heinz, an IDFA member, hosted the event with Rise Against Hunger, an international relief agency committed to ending hunger in vulnerable populations.

At the event were Senators Pat Roberts (R-KS), Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC), as well as Reps. Danny Davis (D-IL), Rodney Davis (R-IL) and Jim McGovern (D-MA). Michael Dykes, D.V.M., IDFA president and CEO, represented the association along with Tracy Boyle, director of boards, employee relations and administrative services; Marti Hogan, director of communications; Audra Kruse; manager of communications; and Heather Soubra, chief of staff.

“Our team had a positive experience working with members of Congress, our friends at Kraft Heinz Company and our fellow association partners to pack thousands of meals today,” said Dykes. “We were proud to support our member’s effort to bring the Washington agriculture community together and make this happen.”

Sen. Roberts, who is the chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, worked side-by-side with Dykes and later shared a video of them together at the event on his Twitter account.

In addition to hosting the Capitol Hill event, Kraft Heinz pledged last week to continue its efforts to fight global hunger by preparing another billion meals by 2021.

For more information, visit riseagainsthunger.org or contact Heather Soubra, IDFA chief of staff, at hsoubra@idfa.org.