For Immediate Release
International Production & Processing Expo
Tucker, Ga. - February 24, 2026

2026 IPPE Donates $32,358 to Atlanta Community Food Bank

As part of the effort to fight hunger, the 2026 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) raised $32,358 for the Atlanta Community Food Bank through its ‘Giving Back to Atlanta’ campaign. The donation included $19,500 in contributions from IPPE, Hawkins Inc., Komline-Heron and WATT Global Media, with additional contributions of $927 from Expo Auctions. Numerous IPPE attendees made individual donations totaling $11,931.

"We are incredibly grateful for the generous support from IPPE, its attendees and exhibitors. These contributions will help provide more than 133,000 meals to families in metro Atlanta and North Georgia, where one in four children experience food insecurity daily," said Ben Burgess, corporate relations manager at the Atlanta Community Food Bank.

Feeding the world healthy and sustainable food products is the mission of the feed, meat and poultry and egg industries. Despite gains in production efficiency and genetic advancements over the years, many individuals still suffer from hunger. In the United States, about one in seven people experiences food insecurity annually. In the Metro Atlanta service area, approximately 12.8% of residents (roughly 820,000 people) are food insecure and many rely on food pantries and community meal programs to feed their families each year. Additionally, about one in six children in this area is food insecure, highlighting the ongoing challenge of hunger, even amid broader progress.

“This marks the 10th year that IPPE has raised funds through the ‘Giving Back to Atlanta’ campaign. Thanks to the continued generosity of exhibitors and attendees, more than $278,000 has been donated to the Atlanta Community Food Bank to date. We sincerely appreciate everyone who has contributed to the fight against hunger in Atlanta,” remarked IPPE show organizers.

Sponsored by the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, the American Feed Industry Association and the Meat Institute, IPPE is the world's largest annual animal food, meat, and poultry and egg industry event of its kind.

About IPPE
The International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) is a collaboration of three shows - International Feed Expo, International Meat Expo and the International Poultry Expo - representing the entire chain of protein production and processing. The event is sponsored by the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), the Meat Institute and U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY).

About AFIA
Founded in 1909, the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), based in Arlington, Va., is the world's largest organization devoted exclusively to representing the business, legislative and regulatory interests of the U.S. animal food industry and its suppliers. The organization's membership is comprised of more than 650 domestic and international companies that represent the total feed industry-manufacturers of commercial and integrated feed and pet food, ingredient suppliers, pharmaceutical companies, industry support and equipment manufacturers. AFIA members manufacture more than 75% of the feed and 70% of the non-grain ingredients used in the country. AFIA is also recognized as the leader on international industry developments and holds membership in the International Feed Industry Federation (IFIF).

About the Meat Institute
The Meat Institute represents the full community of people and companies who make the majority of meat American families rely on every day. The Meat Institute's hands-on regulatory and technical expertise, proactive advocacy, unique convening power, collaboration within and beyond animal agriculture, and sector-leading continuous improvement initiatives drive relationships and resources that ensure meat continues to be a vital, trusted pillar of healthy diets and thriving communities for generations to come. To learn more, visit MeatInstitute.org.

About USPOULTRY
U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) is the All Feather Association progressively serving its poultry and egg members through research, education, communications and technical services. Founded in 1947, USPOULTRY is based in Tucker, Georgia.

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(From left): Nath Morris, president, USPOULTRY; Gwen Venable, executive vice president of expo and communication services, USPOULTRY; Eric Zito, vice president of business development, the Meat Institute; Victoria Broehm, vice president of member experience, AFIA; and Ben Burgess, corporate relations manager, Atlanta Community Food Bank, are pictured with the check.