Free food helps kick off Chinese New Year

TORONTO , Feb. 10 /CNW/ - Wong Wing, which offers the largest variety of frozen Asian foods in the country, distributed flyers on Chinese astrology and boxes of frozen vegetable dumplings to pedestrians at Dundas Square yesterday to help kick off Chinese New Year celebrations.

The Chinese Year of the Tiger officially begins February 14 , but the company says it wanted to get a head start on the celebrations.

"This was just our way of wishing people a very Happy New Year and giving them a chance to sample some authentic Chinese food," said Ken Carrier , President of Wong Wing. "The Chinese New Year is a very special time of year and it was important for us to be a part of it."

The company is also offering a draw for a gastronomic trip for two to China , valued at $10,000 . Details and entry forms are available at www.wongwingway.ca.

In addition to the free food handed out, Wong Wing is donating 1,200 boxes of products (valued at $6,000 ) to Food Banks Canada to help feed Canadians in need. Food Banks Canada is the national organization that represents the food bank community. Its Provincial Members and affiliate member food banks work to support 85% of Canadians who turn to food banks for help.

"As a food company, it makes sense that we should help feed the hungry," said Carrier. "Close to 800,000 individuals turn to food banks for support each month in Canada , and many of them are children. During times of celebration, it's important that we also take a moment to think of those less fortunate."

Katharine Schmidt , Executive Director of Food Banks Canada , says the donation comes at a good time. "The economic situation has meant that food banks are assisting more Canadians than ever"," she said. "The December holiday period may be over, however, the need for food assistance is still there."

Wong Wing is a division of McCain Foods Limited, an international leader in the frozen food industry, employing 20,000 people and operating 53 production facilities on six continents.

    
    About Food Banks Canada
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Food Banks Canada is the national charitable organization representing the food bank community across Canada . Our members and their respective agencies serve approximately 85 per cent of people accessing emergency food programs nationwide. Our mission is to meet the short term need for food and find long term solution to reduce hunger. Visit www.foodbankscanada.ca for more information.

For further information: or pictures: Marie Noël-de-Tilly, Active Marketing, [phone], [email protected]