FCC Drive Away Hunger Provides Over 9.5 Million Meals

Farm Credit Canada (FCC), along with its industry partners, participating schools and volunteers, have provided over 9.5 million meals for food banks and feeding programs nationwide, surpassing this year’s goal for FCC Drive Away Hunger

“FCC Drive Away Hunger goes a long way toward replenishing the shelves at food banks and supporting school feeding programs across the country and this year was no different,” said Michael Hoffort, FCC president and CEO, in announcing the results of this year’s collection in support of Canada’s food banks. “We know that reducing hunger in Canada is a year-round effort, so we hope we’ve inspired many to continue donating to food banks throughout the year to help those most in need.”

To mark the 15th anniversary of FCC Drive Away Hunger, FCC teams drove tractors through various communities to collect food and donations for 15 days, beginning on October 4. Tractor tours were held in almost every province in cooperation with industry partners and schools.

“It’s truly inspiring to see countless volunteers working together to help make a difference in so many lives”

“We are proud to serve those who work everyday to produce food and thankful for our partners, food bank volunteers, as well as the teachers and students who took the time to organize and participate in food drives,” Hoffort said. “It’s truly inspiring to see countless volunteers working together to help make a difference in so many lives.”

Partners are a major contributor to the success of FCC Drive Away Hunger. Platinum partners were BDO Canada LLP, The Meat Factory Limited, Courchesne Larose, Chenail Fruits & Legumes and Dedicated Harvesters. They have committed to provide food and funds to feed the hungry through FCC Drive Away Hunger.

Parrish & Heimbecker Limited, Windset Farms, Co-op, Ray-Mont Logistics International, Nutrigroupe, Groupe Vegco Inc, VegPro International Inc., Paysan and duBreton have also joined as national partners.

In addition to its annual food collection tractor tour, FCC contributed a total of $100,000 in support of food programs offered at 100 schools across Canada. In September, each school received $1,000 to feed hungry children at school.

2018 FCC Drive Away Hunger final results (meals)

Location / Total
British Columbia    276,961.72
Alberta    571,731.18
Saskatchewan    776,908.27
Manitoba    334,641.15
Ontario    3,973,530.72
Quebec    3,068,123.27
Atlantic Canada    196,259.80
Food Banks Canada    306,855.00
*Other     91.00
**Total     9,505,102.11

Donations not associated with a specific province

Combination of food and cash donations expressed in terms of meals ($1 = 3 meals, 1 lb = 1 meal)

FCC Drive Away Hunger is FCC’s flagship community investment program. Since 2004, FCC employees, customers and community partners have provided over 50 million meals to food banks in Canada. To learn more, visit fccdriveawayhunger.ca.

FCC is Canada’s leading agriculture lender, with a healthy loan portfolio of more than $33 billion. Our employees are dedicated to the future of Canadian agriculture and its role in feeding an ever-growing world. We provide flexible, competitively priced financing, management software, information and knowledge specifically designed for the agriculture and agri-food industry. As a self-sustaining Crown corporation, our profits are reinvested back into the agriculture and food industry we serve and the communities where our customers and employees live and work while providing an appropriate return to our shareholder. Visit fcc.ca or follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and on Twitter @FCCagriculture.

Source: Farm Credit Canada (FCC)