A major donation in Ailsa Craig Friday morning, chicken farmers of Ontario donated over 3,000 meals worth of poultry to the local food bank. “It’s great to be able to fill some of the freezers and have that to chip away at with our clients and be able to provide some good, fresh, quality meat,” said Mark Isaac, general manager with the Ailsa Craig Food Bank. Isaac said the demand for food bank services is on the rise. “It would be at least a 35-40 per cent increase,” said Isaac. “At least.” “There seems to be more of a need,” said Brian Lewis with CFO. “It’s a way for us as producers to help meet that need in conjunction with local food banks as well.” MPP Steve Pinsonneault said events like this are an important way to help people who are struggling with the rising cost of living. “This community could be a pioneer for how it should be done,” said Pinsonneault. “They’re doing it right, they’re helping people.” Farmers in the region said this donation highlights the importance of Canadian chicken and the role it plays in feeding communities. “Our industry is growing,” said Caitlin Dance, a chicken farmer. “Chicken is the number one protein of choice in Canada because of its health benefits and the fact that it’s lean.” “In past years we had very little meat to give out,” said Isaac. “There was a real change in recent years in what was made available to us.” CFO helps to ensure Ontario food banks can access protein without barriers. “It began in 2015 and we give over one million individual meals per year,” said Lewis.
