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By Alice McFarlane

Chicken for Ontario Food Banks

Partnership supports Ontario Food Banks

Oct 25, 2024 | 4:18 PM

Chicken Farmers of Ontario and Maple Leaf Foods Inc. are collaborating to support an important cause.

The two organizations are working together to provide Ontario grown chicken to Ontario Food Banks. The deal will see Ontario’s food banks receive a steady supply of locally grown chicken.

The partnership will support the CFO Cares: Farmers to Food Banks Program, a program that enables Ontario chicken farmers to donate their chicken.

The program was launched in 2015, in partnership with Feed Ontario, an organization that joins food banks, industry partners, and local communities in efforts to end poverty and hunger across Ontario.

Feed Ontario provides logistical and administrative support while Maple Leaf Foods processes and tray-packs the Ontario-grown chicken.

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The chicken is distributed throughout the Feed Ontario distribution network, allowing for food bank volunteers to spend less valuable time repackaging chicken and allowing for more food banks with capacity constraints, including smaller food banks, to participate in the program.

CFO Cares donors are eligible for a tax credit of 25 per cent of the fair market value of their donated chicken through the Ontario Government’s Community food program donation tax credit.

At least one million meals annually have been provided since the inception of the program, according to Murray Opsteen, Chair of Chicken Farmers of Ontario.

“With Ontario food banks experiencing increased pressure, we are pleased to be formally announcing a partnership with Maple Leaf Foods Inc., ensuring that Ontario food banks are continually able to access a steady supply of healthy, high quality, locally grown chicken,” Opsteen said.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @farmnewsNOW