Culver's restaurants across the nation continue to build support of American agriculture as part of the chain's Thank You Farmers initiative. Since the program began in 2013 over a million dollars has been raised in support of the National FFA, local FFA chapters, and a variety of local agricultural organizations.
Culver's has depended on family farms since opening its first restaurant in 1984. From the cattle ranches of the Great Plains to the dairy farms of Wisconsin, Culver's remains committed to sourcing the finest ingredients America's family growers have to offer. Culver's has turned its gratitude into full-fledged support of today's farm families, while helping ensure the future of the next generation of farmers, biologists, chemists, veterinarians, engineers, and entrepreneurs
In 2015 alone, $360 thousand dollars was raised for local FFA Chapters, the National FFA Foundation and other agricultural organizations across the country. This included money from donation canisters, percentage of sales donations, sponsorships, as well as a "Scoops of Thanks" day (where $1 Scoops of custard were sold August 8) and other events and activities.
"We are excited to see the enthusiasm with which guests have welcomed Thank You Farmers," says David Stidham, vice president for marketing at Culver's and newly appointed member of the National FFA Foundation Sponsors' board of directors. "We're deeply grounded in the farms that produce the dairy and grow the food that has made Culver's what it is today."
"Culver's and FFA provide a great partnership that supports agriculture education in our local communities," says Todd Greenwood, director of corporate giving at the National FFA Foundation. "We appreciate that Culver's recognizes the hard work and dedication of farm families. Programs like Thank you Farmers are helping to build awareness of the critical role agriculture plays. We are very thankful for Culver's support."