TFC Donates $62,000 to Food Banks Canada

September 26, 2011 – The Turkey Farmers of Canada (TFC) Board of
Directors presented a cheque for $62,000 to Food Banks Canada at their general business meeting, held in Toronto September 22.

September 26, 2011 – The Turkey Farmers of Canada (TFC) Board of
Directors presented a cheque for $62,000 to Food Banks Canada at their general business meeting, held in Toronto September 22.

The
third annual donation of over $50,000 will assist thousands of Canadian
families. The funds will be distributed in September to many rural food
banks across Canada, targeted to those most in need. Those food banks
selected will purchase whole turkeys or turkey parts for their
community, for distribution at Thanksgiving. The cheque was presented to Food Banks Canada's
Vice-Chair Brian Meagher, and Executive Director, Katharine Schmidt.

"We wanted to continue our partnership with Food Banks Canada," said TFC Chair, Mark Davies, "because we know that the holiday period is a time when families come together to celebrate, yet many families are struggling." Since 2009, TFC has donated $50,000 annually to Food Banks Canada.  The Turkey Farmers of Ontario, Manitoba Turkey Producers and Turkey Farmers of New Brunswick have also contributed funds in 2011, raising the overall total donation to $62,000. In addition, a number of provincial turkey boards make contributions to food banks in their regions throughout the year by participating in local food drives, donating turkeys during the holiday seasons, and collaborating on fundraising events.

Pictured in photo from left to right: D. Young, Nova Scotia; G. Martin, FPPAC; M. Boulay, Quebec; B. Mailloux, Ontario; M. Davies, TFC Chair; W. Goodsman, Saskatchewan; Katharine Schmidt, Food Banks Canada; W. Kroeker, Manitoba; S. Heppell, British Columbia; M. Pépin, CPEPC; B. Meagher, Food Banks Canada; R. Meijer, Alberta; D. Hart, CPEPC; B. Cyr, New Brunswick

"Turkey meat is an excellent source of protein that our community so desperately needs," says Katharine Schmidt, Executive Director of Food Banks Canada. She stressed "so our member food banks are thrilled to be chosen to receive this support from Turkey Farmers of Canada." Schmidt went on to say, "more help is always appreciated, so anyone wishing to contribute a turkey to their local community food bank can do so in person or by donating online at https://secure.supportfoodbankscanada.ca/DonateGen.aspx?L=2&CCID=27&MSP=126".

Close to 900,000 Canadians turn to food banks in an average month and, of these, 38 per cent are children. Rural food banks make up nearly half of food banks in the country. TFC has represented Canadian turkey farmers for over 37 years, encouraging cooperation throughout the Canadian turkey industry and acting as the voice for Canadian turkey farmers both domestically and internationally.