The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

PRESCOTT - As many individuals and families think about giving back to the needy during the holiday season, one local company does it year round.

Broetje Orchards in Prescott helps provide fresh apples to local needy families through its Take A Bite Out Of Hunger campaign.

Lisa Frederich, a spokeswoman for the First Fruits company, said Broetje Orchards has participated in the Take A Bite Out Of Hunger program for about two years and is signed on to continue in 2013.

"They're a very philanthropic company," she said. "They're always looking for ways to help the underprivileged."

She said Broetje likes programs that directly help its community. Food banks get more donations during the holidays and being part of this campaign means Broetje is giving to food banks all year.

Last year, the company donated more than 50,000 pounds of apples, Frederich said.

According to Broetje's website, "the problem of hunger isn't just about being hungry."

Many families face food insecurity, or not having regular access to safe, affordable and nutritious food. In 2010, 15 percent of all U.S. households were food insecure, according to the site. Of those, 33 percent were children, 96 percent reported that the food they bought just did not last and they did not have money to get more, and 94 percent reported that they could not afford to eat balanced meals.

The process of giving involves the retailers. Broetje apples go to seven retailers all over the country. The retailer in the Walla Walla Valley is Grocery Outlet, Frederich said. Based on how many apples those retailers sell, Broetje sets aside a certain number of pounds of apples to give away, she said. The retailers get to choose which local food bank the apples will go to. Broetje then trucks the apples over to the food bank where they are distributed.

Frederich said in addition to providing fresh, healthy foods, Broetje also does what it can to help raise awareness of food insecurity through the retailers with stickers and promotions.

"They don't want to just give the apples away," she said.

Roger Bairstow, the executive director of many of Broetje's programs, said Take A Bite Out Of Hunger follows the faith-based company's mission. Broetje Orchards has been a family owned and operated business since 1968.

"We've really tried to walk the talk as best as we can," Bairstow said.

What those at Broetje don't need they give away to local non-profits and to help employees, he said.

When the company began marketing its apples with the First Fruits company four years ago, Broteje Orchards wanted to make sure it was marketing products in a socially responsible and effective way, he added.

The collaboration of the Take A Bite Out of Hunger campaign and the retailers makes Broetje believe it really is working to make life better for those less fortunate in its community.

"We have a responsibility to help the greater good," he said. "We believe that."