The program ”will help facilitate the donation of up to 300
chickens per farmer each year to local food banks,” says the chicken board.
It has 1,100 members, so this could reach the board’s target
of “100,000 chickens worth an equivalent retail value of $1 million,” says the
board on its website.
“We’re very excited to have developed this program in
partnership with the Ontario Association of Food Banks which will allow us for
the first time to have an effective mechanism to contribute to those food bank
client families looking to put safe, healthy, locally grown fresh chicken on
their table,” said board chairman Henry Zantingh.
The new program operates under the province’s new Food Donation
Tax Credit for Farmers offers farmers a 25 per cent tax credit for the fresh
food they donate to Ontario food banks.
Prior to this program CFO and its farmers offered support “primarily
through cash donations,” the board says.
Gail Nyberg, executive director of Daily Bread Food Bank, said
“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 our most needed food item groups.”
Daily Bread Food Bank provides food and support to about 200
food
programs across Toronto.
Ontario Agriculture Minister Jeff Leal said “I applaud the
Chicken Farmers of Ontario for encouraging their members to donate to food
banks through this new campaign.
“Our government established the food donation tax credit to
reward the generosity of farmers who donate to food banks, student nutrition
programs, and other community food organizations.”
In fact, it was Tory backbencher Toby Barrett of the Sarnia
area who introduced a bill several times before it was finally adopted last
year.
“This credit, along with the initiative launched today by
the CFO, will help provide fresh, healthy, local food to those who need it
most,” Leal said.
“There are over 375,000 Ontarians who rely on food banks to
provide their basic sustenance each month and unfortunately that number
continues to grow each year,” says Carolyn Stewart, acting director of the
Ontario Association of Food Banks.
“This innovative program that Ontario’s chicken farmers have
put together will help ensure that more Ontario families will be able to enjoy
fresh healthy locally grown meals on a regular basis.”
