Exceldor chosen as supplier for Food Bank

March 22, 2011 – Chicken Farmers of Canada (CFC) today announced that Quebec-based processor Exceldor has been chosen, following a call for bids, to provide frozen chicken products for 2011 to the Ottawa Food Bank via CFC’s Chicken Challenge food donation program.

As part of its new Corporate Social Responsibility Program, Under our Wing, which was launched in late 2009, CFC, in partnership with the Ottawa Food Bank, created a pilot project of the Chicken Challenge in 2010. Under the pilot project, CFC purchased chicken products from processors through a bidding process managed quarterly by CFC, and donated the product to the Ottawa Food Bank.

From April to November 2010, frozen chicken products totaling $50,000 were delivered to the Ottawa Food Bank. This successful pilot project has led to the full launch of the Chicken Challenge with our partner for 2011, Exceldor.

Since 2007, CFC has been a proud partner and supporter of The Ottawa Food Bank. Each year, through proceeds from the Canada Day Great Canadian Chicken Barbecue as well as staff donations, CFC continues to support the mission of the Ottawa Food Bank. Since 2007, about $87,400 has been raised.
“We are proud to support a great charity and to give back to the community which has been our home for more than 30 years,” said David Fuller, Chair of CFC.

In addition, Under our Wing includes donations via CFC employee payroll contributions which will likely top $2,500 in 2011. We are also pleased that B.C.-based Sunrise Farms made a special donation of approximately 600 frozen stuffed chicken breasts to the Ottawa Food Bank earlier this month.

The Ottawa Food Bank’s mission statement is “to collect and distribute food to member agencies serving people in need in the Ottawa area.” The Ottawa Food Bank provides 43,000 people each month with emergency food assistance, 37 per cent of whom are children, and supports 145 food programs throughout the Ottawa Region.

“Our partnership with the CFC gives the Ottawa Food Bank an incredible boost in terms of being able to provide the added protein of chicken to our beneficiaries’ diets,” says Peter Tilley, Executive Director of the Ottawa Food Bank. “The Chicken Challenge food donation program is yet another way the CFC is supporting those in need in our community and we are grateful.”