By Alice McFarlane

Agriculture Roundup for Friday February 23, 2024

Feb 23, 2024 | 10:45 AM

Farm Credit Canada (FCC) has completed another successful Drive Away Hunger campaign with donors providing over 140 million meals.

FCC president and CEO Justine Hendricks said it is a testament to the hard work and support provided by exceptional partners across Canada.

“More than ever, we are seeing producers, processors, distributors and grocers addressing food waste and helping feed Canadians in need,” she said. “The Canadian food system has come together through Drive Away Hunger and the results this year prove we are stronger together.”

To mark the 20^th anniversary year of the program, FCC matched $1 million in new donations. FCC’s match will be shared by Food Banks Canada and Second Harvest Canada who will direct the funding to underserved rural and remote areas in need of support.

Hendricks said 29 per cent of Canada’s food banks are in rural and remote communities, where food can be more expensive and difficult to access. She said one in six Canadians experience hunger every day and it is FCC’s goal to encourage more collaboration and innovation to get food to those who need it and at the same time, address important issues like food waste.

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“It would be wonderful if there was a day when Drive Away Hunger wasn’t necessary, but the reality is the need is growing and as an industry we have an obligation to respond,” she said. “I want to thank everyone in the Canadian food system who has shared their resources, ideas and their drive this year.”

Drive Away Hunger donors provide food to charitable food security agencies in communities across Canada. Drive Away Hunger connects nutritious food to those in need, redirecting food surpluses that would otherwise go to waste.

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Nominations are open for the 2024 Alberta Agriculture Hall of Fame.

Individuals who have advanced Alberta’s agriculture industries, food industries, and rural life are honoured.

Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation RJ Sigurdson said every two years, up to three individuals who have made a province-wide impact on their industries are inducted.

“I am continually impressed by the dedication and pride demonstrated by our agricultural and agri-food leaders. The Alberta Agriculture Hall of Fame gives community members the opportunity to recognize those leaders by nominating them for this prestigious award,” Sigurdson said.

Since its inception in 1951, the Hall of Fame has recognized 141 men and women who have made significant contributions to the agriculture and food industry, and to the development and sustainability of rural life in Alberta.

Nomination forms and a list of past inductees are available here. Nominations close on May 3.

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Maple Leaf Foods Inc. reported a fourth-quarter loss of $9.3 million compared with a loss of $41.5 million a year earlier.

The meat processor said the loss amounted to eight cents per share for the quarter that ended Dec. 31 compared with a loss of 34 cents per share in its fourth quarter of 2022.

Sales totalled $1.19 billion for the quarter, about the same as a year earlier.

Sales for the company’s meat protein business amounted to $1.16 million, up from $1.15 billion in the fourth quarter of 2022, while plant protein sales totalled $36.5 million, down from $40.0 million a year earlier.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @farmnewsNOW