SALINAS, CA – On Friday, February 25th, Natividad Medical Foundation received a $201,000 donation from The Agricultural Leadership Council (TALC).

TALC is a collective of 77 agricultural leaders, including the D’Arrigo, Taylor, Antle, Nunes and many other founding farm families as well as 55 new growers, shippers, packers and other ag-related businesses. John D’Arrigo, President of D’Arrigo Bros. Co. of CA and founder of TALC said, “It’s amazing to see so many competitors come together to act on our shared commitment to helping our farm workers and their families stay healthy.” Together, the 77 members of TALC donated more than $201,000 to NMF for medical equipment, including Monterey County’s only fully wireless rotating bed for patients in the Intensive Care Unit; a special “Panda” to keep babies delivered by Cesarean section warm in the operating room; a headlamp to allow surgeons to work hands-free; and an ultrasound machine to assist healthcare staff with the guided insertion of lines for the provision of fluids, medication and nutrition to patients in the Intensive Care Unit.

TALC was established under the leadership of John D’Arrigo as an ongoing body to philanthropically support Natividad Medical Center by purchasing needed medical equipment for the hospital to help further their mission to upgrade the health status of farm workers and their families. The group started with 22 farm families in 2010 and has since grown to 77 members.

On the same evening, Natividad Medical Foundation honored John D’Arrigo as their 2011 NMF “Hero” Award recipient. The Natividad Medical Foundation “Hero” Award was established in 2008 by the Foundation to recognize and honor individuals or organizations that have made a significant philanthropic contribution to fulfilling Natividad Medical Center’s mission to continually improve the health status of the people of Monterey County through access to affordable, high quality healthcare services.

John D’Arrigo, President & CEO of D’Arrigo Bros. Co. of CA and son of Andrew & Phyllis D’Arrigo, was selected as the 2011 NMF Hero because of his philanthropic leadership in establishing The Agricultural Leadership Council (TALC). D’Arrigo Bros. Co. of CA, Andrew & Phyllis D’Arrigo and TALC have donated by more $750,000 to NMC since 2010.