Metro responds to growing need for food banks with winter food drive

Support comes as food banks face record high in demand

TORONTO , Dec. 7 /CNW/ - Metro stores across the province are supporting their local food banks this holiday season by participating in Metro's Winter Food Drive. The campaign launched today in over 150 locations. The goal of the campaign is to raise 500,000 pounds of food to support Ontarians facing hunger.

When visiting Metro stores, shoppers are encouraged to purchase nutritious foods to donate to their local food bank. Most needed foods at food banks include: hearty stews, pasta, pasta sauce, canned tuna, canned ham, rice, baby food, lentils, peanut butter, canned fruits, and canned vegetables.

"We've just seen the number of individuals served by food banks in Ontario reach an all-time high," said Adam Spence , Executive Director of the Ontario Association of Food Banks. "Metro's support is going to help food banks across the province meet these rising needs in their communities."

The Winter Food Drive is the second provincial food drive taking place at Metro stores. The first drive, the 2009 Fall Harvest Food Drive, helped raise 300,000 pounds of food for community food banks in Ontario.

"As a grocery retailer, we can't think of a better organization or cause to support than the Ontario Association of Food Banks," says Gillian Kerr , Senior Director of Marketing for Metro Ontario Inc. "Metro remains committed to helping individuals access quality food at times when they need it most."

The Winter Food Drive will take place throughout the month of December in communities across Ontario.

About Ontario Association of Food Banks

The Ontario Association of Food Banks (OAFB) is a network of over 100 food banks including communities across the province from Ottawa to Windsor, and Niagara Falls to Thunder Bay. For more information about the OAFB, as well as hunger and poverty in Ontario, please visit www.oafb.ca.

About Metro Ontario Inc.

Metro is a Canadian company with offices and operations in both Ontario and Quebec . Metro Ontario Inc. operates its 272 stores under two conventional banners, Metro and A&P, and under one discount banner, Food Basics. In 2009, all remaining A&P banners will be converted to the Metro name. The company employs over 30,000 people in Ontario. For further information, please visit metro.ca.

For further information: Adam Spence, Executive Director, Ontario Association of Food Banks, Work: [phone], Mobile: [phone], Email: [email protected]; Leslie Powers, Communications Manager, Metro Ontario Inc., Work: [phone], Email: [email protected]