Farm & Food Care Saskatchewan is very pleased to be taking part in the Drive Away Hunger campaign in 2023. The initiative brings together people and organizations across the agriculture and food industry to connect the food we produce with community members who need it the most.
The campaign encourages partners to donate food and money to food banks and other food security agencies across the country. As well, Drive Away Hunger provides logistics and support for distribution and packaging if organizations have food to donate.
“Nearly 20% of Canadians are getting their food from charitable organizations, yet 3.2 million tonnes of surplus edible food is produced in Canada each year, and 96% of it is not rescued,” said Carla Warnyca, who is a Community Investment Consultant with Farm Credit Canada and the National Program Manager for Drive Away Hunger. “This program is helping to increase the reach of donations and reduce food waste.”
FCC has been involved with Drive Away Hunger for nearly twenty years. Back in 2004, an FCC employee drove his tractor around several communities in rural Ontario, collecting food donations to help food banks serve people in need. FCC got behind the idea and the program grew exponentially over the last two decades. In fact, last year, Drive Away Hunger provided 40 million meals to feed hungry Canadians.
In honour of the twenty-year anniversary of Drive Away Hunger, FCC has pledged to match all new cash and food donations to food security agencies in Canada in 2023 up to $1 million dollars.
While FCC is the proud engine behind Drive Away Hunger, it is truly an industry initiative. “As a group of donors passionate about food security in Canada, we believe we can create change and possibility by rallying together, giving generously, looking for new solutions and celebrating the Canadian food industry,” Warnyca said.
You can get involved
To donate food, money, overproduction or seconds, visit DriveAwayHunger.ca. Any organizations that are already donating are encouraged to share their numbers through the Drive Away Hunger website and help tell the story of how the ag industry is making a difference. All donations made in 2023 will be counted for this year’s drive. The full number will be reported at the Future of Food Conference on February 13, 2024.
For more information, visit DriveAwayHunger.ca.