Groups Join the National Pork Board and National Pork Producers Council in Hams Across America Program
Today, the Oklahoma Pork Council (okPORK), Prairie Fresh Pork and Oklahoma pig farmers teamed up to provide 20,000 pounds of protein to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. This donation is part of the annual Hams Across America program, which highlights the industry’s We CareSM ethical principles to contribute to a better way of life in local communities through pork product donations.
“We know that many of our neighbors are food insecure, with one in six people in Oklahoma struggling with hunger,” said Cathy Vaughan, a pig farmer from Rosston and okPORK board president. “Being good neighbors and helping those in need is important to everyone in our industry. This donation, in partnership with Prairie Fresh Pork, allows us to live the We Care ethical principles and share our love of the product that we produce.”
“Offering a meal to our neighbors in need is a long-time tradition for pig farmers across America, and our Prairie Fresh producers at Seaboard Foods and Triumph Foods are honored to continue that tradition with this Hams Across American pork donation,” said David Eaheart, senior director of communications and Prairie Fresh brand marketing at Seaboard Foods. “We’re hopeful that the products donated today will bring comfort and help those facing food insecurity.”
The donation today was in addition to a $10,000 donation that okPORK donated in December to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma to support its Food for Kids Backpack Program. This program provides chronically hungry children with backpacks filled with non-perishable, nutritious, shelf-stable food to sustain them over weekends and school holidays. The donation from okPORK is allowing the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma to process and package more than 28,000 pork sticks. This program is based on successful collaborative relationships. The Regional Food Bank works with multiple organizations to solicit and steward animal donations that are harvested for the sticks. Many of these animal donations come from Oklahoma 4-H and FFA members.
