Jess Stevens, pork producer from Waynesville, Ohio (second from left) presented a check for $5,000 of pork on behalf of Ohio’s pig farmers for the Freestore Foodbank. The funds will be used to distribute pork throughout the 20-county region the nonprofit serves.
High-quality protein fights hunger across the state
The Freestore Foodbank and the Mid-Ohio Food Collective (MOFC) have a mission to provide reliable meals for individuals and families while addressing the issue of poverty and food insecurity. To help fulfill this goal, the Ohio Pork Council, on behalf of Ohio’s pig farmers, has donated $10,000 in nutritious, high-quality, protein-filled pork to these organizations as a part of its annual Pork Power program.
“Protein is obviously one of the harder things for us to come by,” said Craig Truax, director of corporate partnerships at MOFC. “This donation is certainly going to help throughout our summer feeding programs with the kitchen team being able to provide much needed protein to our clients.”
Through these combined donations, Ohio pig farmers are once again giving back to communities in need, removing barriers to reliable meals, and providing an essential protein source. The pork purchased through the donations will support the thousands of meals provided each day by the Cincinnati-based Freestore Foodbank and the Grove City-based Mid-Ohio Food Collective to those in need.
“As producers represented by the Ohio Pork Council, we are very happy to be able to give back to our communities across the state,” said Jarred Black, president elect of OPC and producer from Canal Winchester, Ohio. “We realize that these donations go a long way to help families get fresh, quality pork in their pantry.”
Likewise, Jess Stevens, a pig farmer from Waynesville, Ohio, and National Pork Board member, said, “Protein is critically important to everyone’s diet, and that’s especially true for low income individuals who really need to make sure they are watching every meal for its nutritional value.”
OPC’s longstanding Pork Power program of donating pork demonstrates the organization’s commitment to living out the Care ethical principles. It specifically allows Ohio pork producers to make a lasting difference by nourishing families, strengthening communities, and helping ensure no one goes without a meal. These core values are highlighted and explained more at www.ohpork.org.
“For us, this donation is much more than a partnership with the Ohio Pork Council – it provides us with an ability to do more outreach,” said Kurt Reiber, president and CEO of Freestore Foodbank. “When you think about Ohio pork and the protein it provides to the families that we are serving, it really goes a long way in making a difference.”
About Freestore Foodbank
The Cincinnati-based organization serves 20 counties covering the areas of Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, and Southeast Indiana. The foodbank distributes 47 million meals annually for low-income individuals and families. Through its 611 supported community partners, the Freestore Foodbank offers support through food kitchens, homeless shelters, emergency food pantries, social service centers and program sites. Its mission is to respond to the issue of poverty and food insecurity while also providing services aimed at creating self-reliance. The Freestore Foodbank is a member of Feeding America. Learn more at https://freestorefoodbank.org/
About Mid-Ohio Food Collective
The Grove City-based organization serves 20 counties covering nearly 10,000 square miles. It provides more than 193,000 meals each day for hungry people in central and eastern Ohio. Its services include the Mid-Ohio Kitchen, Foodbank, Farm, Farmacy and Market, providing different ways to learn about and consume food. Its mission is to co-create sustainable communities where everyone thrives while fighting to end hunger one nourishing meal at a time. Learn more at https://mofc.org/
About the Ohio Pork Council
The Ohio Pork Council was established in 1968, beginning with nearly 800 pig farmers dedicated to the task of promoting their own product. Currently, OPC has approximately 2,500 members. Their mission is to serve and benefit all Ohio pork producers. To learn more about the Ohio Pork Council, visit www.OhioPork.org or call 614-882-5887.
Jarred Black, president elect of OPC (left) presented a check for $5,000 of pork on behalf of Ohio’s pig farmers for the Mid-Ohio Food Collective. The funds will be used to distribute pork throughout 20 Central Ohio counties.
