PA Beef Council Launches Beefing Up Backpacks Program; CHOP Out Hunger Receives Inaugural Shipment

CHOP Out Hunger receives the inaugural shipment of 1-ounce beef sticks for distribution to the Towanda School District

The Pennsylvania Beef Council, in collaboration with Pennsylvania beef producers, Stoltzfus Meats and Deli, JBS USA, and key partners, proudly announced the official launch of the Beefing Up Backpacks program, a new initiative to help combat childhood hunger by including a nutritious, Pennsylvania-made 1-ounce beef stick in every backpack distributed through Pennsylvania’s weekend food programs.

The program kicked off last week with a celebratory event at Stoltzfus Meats headquarters in Gordonsville, attended by Executive Deputy Secretary Greg Hostetter, the Pennsylvania Beef Foundation (PA Beef Council), Pennsylvania beef producers, Stoltzfus Meats and Deli, JBS USA, CHOP Out Hunger, and representatives from U.S. Senator John Fetterman’s office.

CHOP Out Hunger is honored to be the very first organization to receive the inaugural shipment of Pennsylvania-sourced, Pennsylvania-manufactured beef sticks for distribution to the Towanda Area School District in Bradford County. Each week, 287 students in Towanda receive backpacks filled with food, totaling more than 10,000 bags distributed annually throughout the district.

“This initiative embodies the power of partnerships,” said Dani Ruhf, CEO of CHOP Out Hunger. “We’re incredibly grateful to the Pennsylvania Beef Council and all of the dedicated partners who made this program a reality. Providing protein-packed beef sticks to students in need ensures they receive the nutrition they deserve, even on weekends. It’s inspiring to see a simple idea transform into a statewide initiative with the potential to reach so many children.”

The long-term goal of the Beefing Up Backpacks initiative is to distribute 500,000 beef sticks per week to school districts throughout Pennsylvania, significantly expanding the reach of this critical nutrition resource.