Remembering What’s Important

Katharine Schmidt, executive director of Food Banks Canada, says that member food banks are grateful for the recent Turkey Farmers of Canada (TFC) donation of $56,500, given that turkey is a high quality protein source that is always in demand. Recently, she sat down in an interview to answer some questions about food bank usage across the country.

HOW BAD IS HUNGER IN CANADA?
“Sadly, nearly 900,000 people turn to food banks each month in Canada. Each and every month, a total of 90,000 Canadians who have never visited a food bank before find themselves in a situation where they go for the first time to ask for some help. Four million meals are served each month through a variety of programs, from soup kitchens to shelters and schools.”

WHO USES FOOD BANKS?
“People who use food banks could actually be your neighbour, a colleague at work, someone who served you coffee or lunch yesterday. Of those who use food banks, 18 per cent are either currently employed or were recently employed. Nearly 50 per cent are families and 38 per cent of those that access food banks are children. Of the 900,000 Canadians – 14 per cent are from rural areas of Canada.”

HOW MANY ARE THERE IN  CANADA?
“There are nearly 500 food banks and over 4,000 food programs across the country that are helping people with essential food. Food Banks Canada acquires and shares approximately $35 million of food with food banks across Canada each year. We offer education and training in areas of food safety, healthy shopping on a budget and child nutrition, as well as granting programs like our capacity building grants, and our grants for community kitchens.

“In addition to helping people with essential food, 75 per cent of food banks offer other services as well. They link people to, or provide other direct services in, their communities like finding affordable housing, job search skills, support with budgeting, shopping economically. They run community kitchens and community gardens.”

HOW ARE VOLUNTEERS RECRUITED IN THE COMMUNITY?
“Volunteer recruitment varies by food bank. Typically, they are recruited through faith based organizations, community service clubs, schools, and local businesses. Depending on the community, recruitment can come through ads in local newspapers, on volunteer websites, or on food bank websites. Volunteers are also recruited from the community members that access food support, helping them to feel empowered and to learn some basic skills that might assist in job training.”

For more information on Food Banks Canada, or how you can get involved, call 1-877-535-0958 or visit online at www.foodbankscanada.ca.

TFC CELEBRATES 40 YEARS
Originally formed under the Federal Farm Products Agencies Act in 1974, the role of the Agency is to encourage cooperation throughout the Canadian turkey industry and to promote the consumption of turkey in Canada, while acting as the voice for Canadian turkey farmers both domestically and internationally.

In four decades, we have seen many changes, advances and achievements – from innovation in turkey farming leading to improved techniques, production efficiencies, and enhanced food safety programs, to our ability to keep pace with changes in the Canadian marketplace through the unique system of supply management.

Each achievement is a reminder that together we can accomplish great things, which, as individual farmers, leaders and business owners, we might never be able to realize alone.

Turkey Farmers of Canada is helping to build a strong and vibrant agricultural sector in Canada.

We celebrate our years of success and look forward to continuing to ensure a bright future for Canada’s turkey industry.

Excerpts from an Open Letter by TFC chair, Mark Davies.