Chickens come home to roost at local food bank

By Courtenay Modeste

BELLEVILLE – The head of the local food bank says a new campaign launched by Ontario chicken farmers will have a positive impact locally.

Chicken Farmers of Ontario are hoping to provide Ontario food banks with 100, 000 chickens a year valued at $1 million. The association and its 1100 family-run farms launched this program in support of the province’s hungry.

Susanne Quinlan, director of operations at the Gleaners Food Bank says that in a year they could spend up to $85, 000 a year on food for families in need and getting support from chicken farmers is going to help cut on cost so they can focus on the other things they would like to do in the community.

In a news release, the chair of the Chicken Farmers of Ontario, Henry Zantingh said “We are very excited to have developed this program in partnership with the Ontario Association of Food Banks which will allow us for the first to have an effective mechanism to contribute to those food back clients families looking to put safe, healthy, locally grown fresh chicken on their table.”

The same news release says more than 375,000 Ontarioans rely on food banks for basic sustenance each month and that number continues  to grow.

The news release also quotes Gail Nyberg, executive director of Daily Bread Food Bank.

“Being able to provide our clients with healthy food choices is so important and this program with the Chicken Farmers of Ontario and the Ontario Association of Food Banks will ensure that our clients have a fresh and local protein option on their table. Proteins are one of out most needed food item groups.”

This program was made possible because of a new food donation tax credit for farmers. Ontario government is offering a 25% tax credit to farmers who donate fresh foods to Ontario food banks.