HATCH grants $750K to boost meat protein for US food banks
What's the deal? HATCH for Hunger will invest $750,000 in Fresh Connect Central, the wholesale supply unit of Gleaners Food Bank of IndianaDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, to expand its protein repackaging capabilities. The grant will fund equipment to grind, cut and portion meat into smaller sizes for distribution across the charitable food network. HATCH CEO Danny Leckie announced it at Fresh Connect Central's Power of Partnerships conference in Indianapolis.
What's the endgame? HATCH for Hunger exists to get more protein to food banks and pantries. It is targeting a "protein gap" that it estimates will require up to three billion protein-rich meals annually to close.
Why now? In May 2026, HATCH launched a drive to raise $40 million for supply-chain infrastructure spanning processing, packaging and refrigeration. It had secured $38 million from 18 partners by the time of the announcement.
The Fresh Connect Central grant fits that effort. "We were really intentional with this because we wanted to create new capabilities exclusively for the network," Leckie said.
By the numbers: In 2025, HATCH delivered more than 102 million servings of protein worth over $70 million, working through more than 120 food banks and 30 large pantries. Fresh Connect Central, a longtime HATCH partner founded in 2017, will distribute more than 80 million pounds of food to food banks in 2026.
Leckie also pledged a $100,000 gift to help food banks cut the freight cost of moving protein. "If you're taking protein out of our Indianapolis distribution centre, even if it's one pallet on a truck of other stuff, we're going to support you," said Joe Slater, chief operating officer at Fresh Connect Central.
The signal: The $750,000 grant adds institutional support for hunger-relief infrastructure. By comparison, Tyson FoodsDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → donated 100 million pounds of protein valued at $126 million over three years, per Feeding AmericaDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →.
Read more: Food Bank News
Image credit: USDAgov
