Chicken Farmers of Ontario (CFO) and Maple Leaf Foods have announced a formal partnership to provide locally-grown, high-quality chicken to food banks across Ontario, in collaboration with Feed Ontario, the province's largest hunger-relief organization. This initiative aims to support the CFO Cares: Farmers to Food Banks Program, which since 2015, has helped deliver over one million meals annually by allowing Ontario's chicken farmers to donate up to 300 birds per year to food banks.
The partnership between CFO, Maple Leaf Foods and Feed Ontario is a response to the growing demand for food bank services. With food bank usage at an all-time high—up 25% in 2024 compared to 2023, and double that of four years ago—this collaboration will help meet the increasing need for protein-rich foods, particularly chicken. Maple Leaf Foods will process and tray-pack the donated chicken, allowing more food banks, especially those with limited resources, to participate in the program.
The Ontario government, represented by Rob Flack, minister of agriculture, food and agribusiness, praised the initiative as a testament to the community-driven commitment of the province's farmers and food processors. Through the program, donors can also receive a tax credit for their contributions, incentivizing continued support for those facing food insecurity.
This partnership marks a significant effort to provide nutritious, locally-sourced food to those in need across the province.
