Food banks in the province have been facing a surge in demand over the past few years. As the need for food bank services has risen, the commitment of our partners in the agriculture and transportation industries has remained strong. Over the past decade, our agriculture producer-group partners have been instrumental in the development and sustainability of our food programs that provide more people and families in Ontario with nutritious sources of protein.
The impact of Ontario’s agricultural sector at Feed Ontario
Many of our producer-group partners have been dedicated to supporting those facing hunger throughout the province for 10 years or more now. We’re honoured to work with farming organizations to keep food bank shelves stocked with healthy fresh and frozen foods.
The total contribution of Feed Ontario’s agriculture partners to food banks across the province.
Innovative Campaigns
In addition to supporting our work by helping us make their products available to food banks, our partners in agricultural industries have also run innovative campaigns on our behalf. This generous financial support is instrumental to our continued work strengthening food security in the province.
For example, for the past three years Beef Farmers of Ontario has run the Burger it Forward Campaign. Joining forces with restaurants across Ontario, they’ve raised funds for food banks every time someone orders a Burger it Forward burger during the campaign.
Ontario Pork has also raised funds for Feed Ontario. In 2022, they released a cookbook called The Whole Hog: Recipes & Stories from the Local Food Community. A portion of the proceeds of the sales were donated to Feed Ontario, supporting food security while sharing stories and recipes from local farmers and truckers.
Meaningful Contributions
Another producer group taking action to make a difference is the Dairy Farmers of Ontario. They’ve joined Feed Ontario as a lead partner of the Full Shelves Program, providing additional financial support to help Feed Ontario purchase urgently needed pantry staples and fresh food, including dairy products.
Ontario Turkey is also supporting their community by acting as a matching partner for our seasonal donation campaigns. Their generosity doubles our donors’ impact and allows us to make their support go even further.
Smart Collaborations
Other producer groups have created innovative partnerships to expand the impact of their contribution. Chicken Farmers of Ontario established a new partnership with Maple Leaf Canada to provide tray-packed frozen chicken to food banks. This makes the product more accessible to food banks, allowing more communities to receive these essential donations.
Similarly, Egg Farmers of Ontario has collaborated with egg graders Burnbrae Farms and L. H. Gray to determine consistent annual pricing across the Ontario Egg Program. Their collaboration strengthens our planning capabilities and ensures that more people in Ontario have access to this versatile and nutritious food.
The commitment of our partners in Ontario agriculture means more than ever as we face the most challenging times for food banks on record. As we acknowledge the milestones of a decade and beyond, their continued dedication is making a real difference for people all over Ontario.
Find out how you can make a difference today and get involved with Feed Ontario’s work here.