ILLINOIS PORK, CORN, SOYBEAN GROUPS DONATE 6,400 POUNDS OF PORK TO CENTRAL ILLINOIS FOODBANK

Nov 19, 2018  |  Today's News |  Livestock |  Public Outreach

SPRINGFIELD, ILL. – As part of the 10th anniversary of Pork Power: Partnering to Fight Hunger in Illinois campaign, the Illinois Pork Producers Association (IPPA), Illinois Corn Marketing Board, Illinois Soybean Association Checkoff Program presented Central Illinois Foodbank with 6,400 pounds of ground pork.  
 

“As farmers, we want to feed our communities, including those in need," says Carrie Winkelmann, a farmer and Illinois Soybean Association board member from Tallula. "Pork Power offers a practical opportunity for soybean producers to do just that. As a livestock feed ingredient, soybean meal provides critical protein, and pork production uses nearly 79 percent of soybean meal fed in Illinois. "

 

Since its inception in 2008, Pork Power has generated over 625,000 pounds of pork - enough for nearly 2.4 million meals - for families throughout Illinois. Farmers and partnering commodity groups give pork and monetary donations all year round. At the end of each giving season IPPA turns the remaining funds into ground pork and divides it among the regional foodbanks in the state.

 

“Our partnership with the Pork Power program is becoming even more important as the Foodbank continues to grow its vision of providing healthy food for all,” said Virginia Ferguson, Central Illinois Foodbank acting program manager. “Today’s donation of ground pork will help provide over 25,000 servings of protein to children and their families across 15 counties in central and southern Illinois.”

 

Members of the Illinois Pork Producers Association, Illinois Corn Marketing Board and Central Illinois Foodbank met for a donation ceremony at Central Illinois Foodbank in Springfield

 

From left: Virginia Ferguson, Central Illinois Foodbank; Pam Molitoris, Central Illinois Foodbank; Dereke Dunkirk, Illinois Pork Producers Association; Marty Marr, Illinois Corn Marketing Board.