Sept. 11, 2009, Ridgetown, Ont. – Today, Farm Credit Canada (FCC) launched the sixth annual Drive Away Hunger program to reduce hunger across Canada. Each year, FCC partners with customers, schools, businesses, community groups and rural residents nationwide to support Canadian food banks.

FCC Drive Away Hunger tours will take place the week of October 12 in Alberta, New Brunswick, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan and Regina (FCC head office location). FCC is also collecting food and cash donations in every field office across Canada from September 14 to October 16. One hundred per cent of donations go to Canadian food banks. For more information about the tours or to make a cash donation, the public can visit www.fccdriveawayhunger.ca.

FCC Drive Away Hunger began in 2004 when an employee in Ontario organized a local tractor tour. He collected food donations from community businesses as a way to give back to his community and help food banks serve people in need. Since then, the FCC Drive Away Hunger program has grown dramatically, with almost two million pounds of food collected for hungry families.

“As a national organization with offices in rural Canada, we are committed to reducing hunger, particularly in the communities where our customers and employees live and work,” says Greg Stewart, FCC President and CEO. “It’s all about the agriculture community working together with schools, businesses and community groups to share the food we create, with those who need it most.”

At today’s launch, FCC also donated $25,000 to Food Banks Canada to support the National Food Sharing System. Canada’s food sharing system ensures equitable distribution of food among member food banks across the country.

“We know that hunger is an issue faced by many families in rural Canada. This year, it’s even more important that we raise awareness because more Canadians are feeling the impact of the current worldwide economic situation,” FCC Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer Dan Bergen told those attending the national kickoff.

Every month, nearly 700,000 Canadians use the services of a food bank. Almost 40 per cent of these individuals are children.   

“There are more than 700 food banks and 3,000 related food service agencies in this country. We all are grateful for Farm Credit Canada’s support of the food bank community across Canada. FCC Drive Away Hunger rallies much needed support for rural food banks and the many people they assist in communities across the country,” says Katharine Schmidt, executive director of Food Banks Canada.

"We are seeing a large increase in new people requiring food bank services,'' says Stephanie Watkinson, Captain of the Ridgetown Salvation Army Community and Family Services. “As demand grows, we are seeing quite a strain on our operations, so all the support we receive is greatly appreciated.”

The FCC Drive Away Hunger program ends on World Food Day, which is held annually on October 16. World Food Day helps raise awareness about world food issues and encourages the public to help address hunger, malnutrition and poverty.

If you are driving on a rural road in the next few weeks, you may encounter a tractor followed by a trailer full of food bags and people. Give them a wave or join in – it’s probably a team of FCC volunteers and their partners driving away hunger.

ABOUT FARM CREDIT CANADA
As Canada's leading provider of business and financial services to farms and agribusiness, FCC advances the business of agriculture. Operating out of 100 offices located primarily in rural Canada, FCC employees are passionate about the business of agriculture. A healthy portfolio of more than $17 billion and 16 consecutive years of portfolio growth are a reflection of our customers' success. For more information, visit www.fcc.ca.