Chicken farmers step up for Hunger Action Month

The Chicken Farmers of Ontario (CFO) Cares: Farmers to Food Banks program continues to provide a welcome source of protein to those in need during COVID-19.

Through the program, a chicken farmer is able to donate up to 300 birds, for which they receive a tax credit from the provincial government.

So far this year, 950,000 “meals” have been donated by over 550 chicken farms and delivered to Ontario food banks, according to an email from CFO public relations staffer Kory Preston.

Farmers register with the program and the CFO takes care of the rest, getting the birds to and from processors and out to a network of 128 food banks through Feed Ontario.

Feed Ontario also has similar working partnerships set up with other industry sectors like beef and dairy.

Melissa Devries, along with her husband, Les, is a chicken farmer in Wellandport The Chicken Farmers of Ontario (CFO) Cares: Farmers to Food Banks program continues to provide a welcome source of protein to those in need during COVID-19.

Through the program, a chicken farmer is able to donate up to 300 birds, for which they receive a tax credit from the provincial government.

So far this year, 950,000 “meals” have been donated by over 550 chicken farms and delivered to Ontario food banks, according to an email from CFO public relations staffer Kory Preston.

Farmers register with the program and the CFO takes care of the rest, getting the birds to and from processors and out to a network of 128 food banks through Feed Ontario.

Feed Ontario also has similar working partnerships set up with other industry sectors like beef and dairy.

Melissa Devries, along with her husband, Les, is a chicken farmer in Wellandport The Chicken Farmers of Ontario (CFO) Cares: Farmers to Food Banks program continues to provide a welcome source of protein to those in need during COVID-19.

Through the program, a chicken farmer is able to donate up to 300 birds, for which they receive a tax credit from the provincial government.

So far this year, 950,000 “meals” have been donated by over 550 chicken farms and delivered to Ontario food banks, according to an email from CFO public relations staffer Kory Preston.

Farmers register with the program and the CFO takes care of the rest, getting the birds to and from processors and out to a network of 128 food banks through Feed Ontario.

Feed Ontario also has similar working partnerships set up with other industry sectors like beef and dairy.

Melissa Devries, along with her husband, Les, is a chicken farmer in Wellandport – one of Niagara’s 175 poultry and egg producers – and a member of the CFO Cares Working Group. She has participated in the program since its start in 2015.

Together, the second-generation farmers raise around 150,000 total birds each year, supplying Sargent Farms in Mississauga.

“It was kind of a no-brainer to jump on board with it,” she said of the program. “I always like to ask the question of others: `If your family, friends or neighbours were knocking on your door asking for help, would you deny them?’”

Devries said there’s a need for fresh protein at food banks during COVID-19.

Between April 1, 2018 and March 31, 2019, over 3 million visits were made to Ontario’s food banks, according to a 2019 Hunger Report from Feed Ontario. This year, food banks expect to assist 225,000 each month.

“I think it’s important that we all do our part to help the community, as long as I can keep growing chicken and donating what I can, I’m absolutely going to continue to do that,” Devries said. one of Niagara’s 175 poultry and egg producers – and a member of the CFO Cares Working Group. She has participated in the program since its start in 2015.

Together, the second-generation farmers raise around 150,000 total birds each year, supplying Sargent Farms in Mississauga.

“It was kind of a no-brainer to jump on board with it,” she said of the program. “I always like to ask the question of others: `If your family, friends or neighbours were knocking on your door asking for help, would you deny them?’”

Devries said there’s a need for fresh protein at food banks during COVID-19.

Between April 1, 2018 and March 31, 2019, over 3 million visits were made to Ontario’s food banks, according to a 2019 Hunger Report from Feed Ontario. This year, food banks expect to assist 225,000 each month.

“I think it’s important that we all do our part to help the community, as long as I can keep growing chicken and donating what I can, I’m absolutely going to continue to do that,” Devries said. one of Niagara’s 175 poultry and egg producers – and a member of the CFO Cares Working Group. She has participated in the program since its start in 2015.

Together, the second-generation farmers raise around 150,000 total birds each year, supplying Sargent Farms in Mississauga.

“It was kind of a no-brainer to jump on board with it,” she said of the program. “I always like to ask the question of others: `If your family, friends or neighbours were knocking on your door asking for help, would you deny them?’”

Devries said there’s a need for fresh protein at food banks during COVID-19.

Between April 1, 2018 and March 31, 2019, over 3 million visits were made to Ontario’s food banks, according to a 2019 Hunger Report from Feed Ontario. This year, food banks expect to assist 225,000 each month.

“I think it’s important that we all do our part to help the community, as long as I can keep growing chicken and donating what I can, I’m absolutely going to continue to do that,” Devries said.