Lake Forest Man Named CEO of Northern Illinois Food Bank

Lake Forest resident Pete Schaefer has been named president and  CEO of the Northern Illinois Food Bank (NIFB).

Schaefer is a former McDonald’s executive, attorney, and global business leader, and will assume responsibility for leading the Food Bank and advancing its mission of serving hungry neighbors throughout 13 counties in Illinois.

“I’m humbled and excited about the opportunity to help the thousands of families facing hunger in our communities,” said Schaefer. “The need to help is great and growing.”

The Hunger in America 2010 study conducted by Feeding America in cooperation with Northern Illinois Food Bank estimates that over 40 percent of the hungry people in northern Illinois are children. The current economic situation has made an existing problem worse with 35 percent more people seeking food assistance compared to just two years ago.

“Northern Illinois Food Bank serves over 60,000 people each week, and we are creating the capacity to help even more people,” said Schaefer. “Every dollar donated makes a significant impact. $100 will serve a family of four three meals per day for nearly two months!”

Schaefer joins Northern Illinois Food Bank after serving six years on the board of directors for the Greater Chicago Food Depository and five years on the board of directors for Northern Illinois Food Bank. He was corporate vice president at McDonald’s Corp. from 2001-2009, responsible for the company’s product safety work, social accountability supply chain efforts, and global security.

Schaefer was managing counsel for McDonald’s Corp. prior, totaling a 16-year stint for the company. Schaefer worked as an attorney for Travelers Insurance Co. and was in private practice as well.

Schaefer replaces H. Dennis Smith, who will retire March 31 after serving NIFB for over 12 years. In the years that Smith has guided the Food Bank, the amount of food distributed has grown from 7 to 35 million pounds annually.