Ontario’s poultry veterinarians make donations to food banks

Chicken Farmers of Ontario (CFO) thanks the Ontario Association of Poultry Veterinarians (OAPV) and its members for their generosity in donating to Feed Ontario through the CFO Cares: Farmers to Food Banks program.

In October 2020, OAPV announced an initiative to double the impact of food bank donations, by matching donations made by Ontario poultry veterinarians – up to $,1000. This support is directed to Feed Ontario through the CFO Cares: Farmers to Food Banks program.

The CFO Cares: Farmers to Food Banks program provides the opportunity for Ontario chicken farmers to donate up to 300 chickens (700kgs) each year to local food banks, providing them with a steady supply of safe, healthy, high quality chicken. Since its inception in 2015, the program has provided over 5 million fresh chicken meals to community food banks across the province.

“With the COVID-19 crisis, it is more important than ever that fresh poultry products are available to those in need through Ontario food banks,” says the OAPV executive team. “We believe it is important to share some of what we help to produce with those who are most impacted by this crisis.”

“On behalf of our farmer-members, CFO extends our immense gratitude to the OAPV for their contributions to the CFO Cares: Farmers to Food Banks program and Feed Ontario,” says Murray Opsteen, 1st vice-chair of CFO and chair of the CFO Cares Volunteer Working Group.

“The COVID-19 pandemic continues to increase pressure on food banks across the province, and Ontario chicken farmers are proud to partner with Feed Ontario to support our neighbours during this crisis and take action against hunger in our communities.”