FCC Drive Away Hunger collects over 5 million pounds of food

Regina, Saskatchewan – Farm Credit Canada (FCC) and a record number of partners, schools, volunteers and generous Canadians have raised more than five million pounds of food for food banks nationwide through its 11th annual FCC Drive Away Hunger.

“FCC Drive Away Hunger demonstrates our long-term commitment to the industry by bringing the agriculture community together to share the food it produces with those who need it most,” said Michael Hoffort, FCC president and CEO. “We are grateful for the generous support of our customers and partners, and for their commitment to helping fight hunger across Canada. I’m overwhelmed by the amount of support – we couldn’t do this without them.”

“I’m proud to see FCC, Canadian farmers and the entire agriculture community come together to support this initiative,” said Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. “The success of this food drive year after year illustrates FCC’s community leadership and the generous spirit of thousands of producers throughout the country.”

In addition to all 100 FCC offices across Canada collecting food and cash donations, tractor tours also took place the week of October 13 in Alberta, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, and at FCC’s corporate office in Regina to pick up donations in these communities.

FCC also donated $100,000 to Food Banks Canada. Half of this amount will be dedicated to the Rural Support Program, which provides additional support and resources to food banks based in rural communities. The remaining $50,000 will be used by Food Banks Canada to support individuals and families who use food bank services.

Partners are a major contributor to success. Two platinum partners were BDO, one of the leading accounting and advisory firms in Canada and TMF Foods Ltd., a value added processor of meat products specializing in fully cooked entrées.

“This is our seventh year participating in the FCC Drive Away Hunger campaign,” said Keith Farlinger, CEO of BDO. “As in years past, our partners and staff from across the country were incredibly active in their local communities hosting numerous events to raise money and food donations. At the end of the 2014 campaign, we are pleased to have raised a total of 561,200 pounds of food to support Canadians in need.”

In its second year as a platinum partner of FCC Drive Away Hunger, TMF Foods Ltd. has donated over 123,000 pounds of Peameal Bacon and Lou’s Quick ’N’ Easy Meals since 2013. The protein-rich meat products were distributed to food service agencies across Ontario to assist Ontarians who rely on food banks. “You’ve got to give back to your communities,” said Lou Albanese, CEO of TMF Foods Ltd.

In addition, 10 national partners played an important role in collecting donations: Parrish and Heimbecker Limited (New Life Mills), Windset Farms™, Federated Co-operatives Limited, Défi-Jeunesse, Solis Foods Corporation, Alliance Grain Traders, Saladexpress, Courchesne, Larose, BroadGrain and Chenail.

FCC Drive Away Hunger is the largest employee-led food drive in Canada. It involves driving a tractor and trailer through various communities to collect food and cash donations for food banks across the country. One hundred per cent of donations go to Canadian food banks.

Since 2004, FCC employees and community partners have raised over 22 million pounds of food. To learn more about FCC’s most important community investment initiative, visit www.fccdriveawayhunger.ca.

FCC is Canada’s leading agriculture lender, with a healthy portfolio of more than $26 billion and 21 consecutive years of portfolio growth. FCC is strong and stable – committed to serving the industry through all cycles, and to being socially and environmentally responsible. FCC provides financing, insurance, software, learning programs and other business services to producers, agribusinesses and agri-food operations. Employees understand agriculture and are committed to the success of customers and the industry. With FCC in the market, producers benefit, agriculture benefits, rural Canada benefits and so do all Canadians. For more information, visitwww.fcc.ca. Follow Farm Credit Canada on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter @FCCagriculture.

2014 FCC Drive Away Hunger final results (lbs)

*Donations not associated with a specific province
**Combination of food and cash donations

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For more information, photos or interviews, contact:

Éva Larouche (bilingual)
Farm Credit Canada
Corporate Communication
1-888-780-6647

FCC Drive Away Hunger partners:

Platinum ($100,000+)
BDO
TMF Foods Ltd.

National ($30,000+)
Alliance Grain Traders
BroadGrain
Chenail
Courchesne, Larose
Défi-Jeunesse
Federated Co-operatives Limited
Parrish and Heimbecker Limited (New Life Mills)
Saladexpress
Solis Foods Corporation
Windset Farms™