CFO donates $10,000 to Daily Bread Food Bank

In a heartfelt display of community support, the Chicken Farmers of Ontario (CFO) has announced a generous donation of $10,000 to the Daily Bread Food Bank as part of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s (CBC’s) annual Sounds of the Season fundraiser. The contribution is a testament to CFO’s commitment to addressing hunger and providing essential support to communities in need.

The donation was made through the CFO Cares: Farmers to Food Banks program, an initiative that ensures a consistent supply of safe, high-quality, locally-grown chicken to food banks and families across Ontario. Andrea Veldhuizen, CFO Board Director for CFO Cares & District 4, took to the airwaves on CBC Radio One’s Here and Now Toronto to make the announcement live.

“Chicken farmers are grateful for this opportunity to make a donation, and our farmers continue to step up and do what we can to tackle hunger in our communities with the chicken we grow,” expressed Andrea Veldhuizen. “As a chicken farmer and on behalf of the 1,300 family-run chicken farms in Ontario, I am thrilled to announce this donation of $10,000 to the Daily Bread Food Bank, as part of CBC’s Sounds of the Season fundraiser.”

The CFO Cares: Farmers to Food Banks program is an ongoing effort by CFO to provide hunger relief throughout Ontario, supporting local food banks year-round. In 2023 alone, the program contributed to over 1 million meals for those in need, thanks to the continuous support of the Ontario chicken farming community.

“Since 2015, Chicken Farmers of Ontario has been committed to giving back through the CFO Cares: Farmers to Food Banks program to provide hunger relief across Ontario,” stated Denise Hockaday, CEO of Chicken Farmers of Ontario. “We want to ensure every Ontarian can access safe, high-quality protein like chicken. Our farmers donate their chicken year-round, to Ontario communities, providing food banks with a steady supply of safe, healthy, locally-grown chicken.”

This latest donation underscores the vital role that agriculture plays in supporting communities, especially during times of increased need. The Chicken Farmers of Ontario’s ongoing dedication to the CFO Cares: Farmers to Food Banks program is a beacon of hope for those facing food insecurity in the province.