February 15, 2023
Regina, Saskatchewan – Founded by Farm Credit Canada (FCC), the industry-wide initiative has been collecting food and cash for nutritious meals for the past 19 years.
The results were announced today at the Future of Food conference in Ottawa - a gathering of industry stakeholders hosted by FCC to mark Canada’s Agriculture Day.
“Drive Away Hunger provides a way for the agriculture and food industry to positively impact food security in Canada,” said Todd Klink, FCC executive vice-president and chief marketing officer. “Local food banks play an important role in communities across Canada as they support the ongoing need to provide nutritious food for families.
“Those who grow, produce and process food and beverages every day truly understand and appreciate the importance of providing high-quality and nutritious food,” he said. “FCC and our many industry partners are proud to support this initiative that provides food and cash donations, promotes food reclamation initiatives and supports school feeding programs.”
Since 2004, the agriculture and food community has come together to raise 141 million meals through food and cash donations for those facing food insecurity in Canada.
Canada’s agriculture and food industry is in a great position to help promote food security in Canada. The Drive Away Hunger program has been a catalyst for the agriculture and food industry to use food reclamation initiatives to support food banks. The campaign has encouraged more companies to distribute surplus perishable food products where they are needed.
“It is an extremely difficult time right now for our friends and neighbours on low incomes and the local food banks that serve them,” said Kirstin Beardsley, Chief Executive Officer, from Food Banks Canada. “We thank our partners and the positive impacts they have made in our communities. Drive Away Hunger is a shining example of what can happen when the Canadian agriculture and food industry works together. Our sincere thanks go to everyone who made these outstanding results possible.”
To find out more about Drive Away Hunger, visit driveawayhunger.ca.
-Media Release, Farm Credit Canada
