Ontario’s chicken farmers working towards a future without hunger

BURLINGTON, ON – This September, Chicken Farmers of Ontario (CFO) and Feed Ontario, formerly the Ontario Association of Food Banks, will be participating in a series of events for Hunger Action Month that will combat food insecurity across the province. This partnership will enable an increase in fresh chicken donations made possible by Ontario’s family-run chicken farms, Feed Ontario and local food banks throughout Ontario.

 

“We know that food banks require more access to fresh and locally grown food,” said Ed Benjamins, Chair, Chicken Farmers of Ontario. “Specifically, food banks are always looking for additional meat proteins – and as farmers, it is our responsibility to provide our safe, healthy and fresh Ontario chicken with those who need it most.”

 

To kick-off Hunger Action Month, yesterday CFO and Feed Ontario visited three food banks in the London, Ontario area. Each food bank is the recipient of fresh chicken donations, which are made possible through the CFO Cares Farmers to Food Banks Program. CFO was pleased that the Hon. Monte McNaughton, MPP for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex, Mayor Joanne Vanderheyden, Strathroy, MP Karen Vecchio, Elgin-Middlesex-London, MPP Jeff Yurek, Elgin-Middlesex-London and Mayor Joe Preston, St. Thomas were able to join chicken farmers at the events, which were held in their local communities.

 

“Hunger Action Month is a nation-wide charitable campaign that is championed by Feed Ontario and intended to ramp up local food donations and bring awareness to food insecurity,” said Rob Dougans, President & CEO, Chicken Farmers of Ontario. “This initiative is very important to us, as we are increasingly looking for ways to give back to our communities and extend the reach of our social impact mission and vision.”

 

“Since 2015, the CFO Cares Farmers to Food Banks program has provided three million servings of fresh chicken to adults and families in need across the province. This is an incredible number and a testament to what can be accomplished when we work together,” says Amanda King, Interim Executive Director, Feed Ontario. “On behalf of the provincial food bank network and the 507,000 people we serve annually, thank you so much for your partnership and your shared vision of a hunger-free Ontario.”

Video: Planting Corn with Classic Allis-Chalmers Tractors | Full Field Action

Step into the field for a full day of spring fieldwork as this farm plants corn using classic Allis-Chalmers power near Arcanum, Ohio. In this video, the farm is working ground with an Allis-Chalmers 8050 pulling a Salford field cultivator and Brillion Culti-Packer to prepare the seedbed. Right behind, an Allis-Chalmers 7020 handles planting duties with a 12-row White planter, putting this year’s corn crop in the ground. You’ll see a mix of aerial drone footage and ground-level views capturing all the action, along with a voiceover that dives into the history and legacy of these two Allis-Chalmers tractors. It’s a great look at how reliable, older equipment is still getting the job done during spring planting season. If you enjoy classic farm equipment, corn planting, and real-world field action, this one is for you.