Monsanto Fund to Support Ontario's Food Banks through Fresh Food Program

TORONTO, May 8, 2014 /CNW/ - In recognition of Hunger Awareness Week, the Monsanto Fund has announced a $120,000 commitment in support of fresh food for food banks in Ontario over the next three years.

According to the Ontario Association of Food Banks (OAFB), more than 370,000 adults and children are turning to food banks every month for assistance.

"Hunger is a devastating reality affecting far too many Ontarians," said Bill Laidlaw, Executive Director of the OAFB. "Through the generous support of the Monsanto Fund, we will be able to increase the capacity of our food banks to effectively store fresh produce, as well as provide more fresh food to Ontarians in need. This is an excellent example of social responsibility and we are very appreciative of this support."

The Monsanto Fund – Monsanto Company's global gifting fund - has committed $40,000 per year for the next three years to support the OAFB's Community Harvest Ontario program, an initiative that builds partnerships between farmers and food banks across the province. The grant will be used specifically to help increase the amount of fresh fruits, vegetables, and protein items available to food banks in Ontario, as well as increase rural food banks' storage capacity for fresh product.

"We are always looking for ways to engage at the grassroots level and support community-based initiatives with a focus on food, agriculture and rural communities," said Trish Jordan, public and industry affairs director with Monsanto Canada. "The Community Harvest program is addressing a critical need in the community and we are pleased to partner with local farmers and other Food Bank volunteers in this effort.  We particularly like the hands-on opportunity for our employees to get directly involved in supporting the Community Harvest program."

Since 1964, the Monsanto Fund has worked to substantially and meaningfully improve people's lives. Just as Monsanto Company has been the leader in innovative and sustainable agriculture, the Monsanto Fund has worked to be an innovative philanthropic leader, providing sustainable assistance to communities in need around the world. The Fund's goal is to improve the lives of people by bridging the gap between their needs and their resources. 

About the OAFB

The Ontario Association of Food Banks (OAFB) is a network of 120 food banks and over 1,100 hunger relief programs and agencies across the province. Together, we serve 412,000 individuals, including 160,000 children, every month. The OAFB is committed to reducing hunger through sustainable solutions that ensure the long-term health and success of communities across the province.

About Monsanto

Headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Monsanto Canada Inc. is part of the larger global Monsanto family.  Monsanto Company is an agricultural company and a leading global provider of technology-based solutions and agricultural products that improve farm productivity and food quality.  Monsanto remains focused on enabling both small-holder and large-scale farmers to produce more from their land while conserving more of our world's natural resources such as water and energy. Learn more about our business and our commitments at www.monsanto.ca.

SOURCE: Ontario Association of Food Banks

For more information or to request an interview with Bill Laidlaw, please contact: Amanda King, Ontario Association of Food Banks, [email protected], 416-656-4100 x2932