Nourishing Innovation: FCC and Regina Food Bank Team Up to Transform Food and Fight Hunger

Justine Hendricks, CEO of FCC and Jane Halford, Chair of the FCC Board of Directors present donation cheque to John Bailey, CEO of Regina Food Bank.

In a time when the need has never been greater, Farm Credit Canada (FCC) is stepping up with a visionary gift: a $100,000 donation to the Regina Food Bank's Food Transformation Initiative. This is the latest in FCC's ongoing commitment to the Regina Food Bank, reflecting the organization's understanding that supporting agriculture and food security takes all of us – from producers and innovators to policy leaders, educators, and community organizations.

Regina has always been important to FCC - it’s the lifeblood of FCC’s head office and the place in which ag and food innovation takes flight. With this generous contribution, FCC is fueling a bold approach to tackle hunger in their home community in new, innovative ways.

Last year, the Regina Food Bank rescued 3.8 million pounds of food, valued at over 13 million dollars, that otherwise would have turned to waste. Meanwhile, in Regina, food insecurity remains increasingly high with over 22,000 people turning to the food bank for relief. With these levels of need, innovation is not just helpful, it's essential.

Enter the Food Transformation initiative aimed at improving how food is redistributed: reclaiming, processing, and repackaging surplus or imperfect foods into nutritious meals. This is yet another ambitious project looking to increase food accessibility. It diverts waste and puts healthy food on the tables of those who need it most while supporting sustainability goals for both organizations.

Apples donated in bulk to the Regina Food Bank

Through partnerships with local producers, retailers, and wholesalers, the initiative converts bulk donations or rescued items into more food. Think bruised vegetables, "ugly produce", or short-dated ingredients that will be transformed and packaged to preserve their shelf life. The initiative also helps the Food Bank to efficiently reduce spoilage and respond rapidly to rising client demand.

FCC's generous gift will add freezing and dehydrating equipment to preserve fresh produce. It also adds new packaging and repackaging systems that will help transform bulk dry goods into consumer-sized products. This saves remarkable amounts of food from landfills and advances FCC's commitment to reducing food insecurity and minimizing food waste across Canada.

With the Food Bank currently feeding 17,000 people monthly – and demand steadily climbing – this partnership is more than a donation: it's a turning point. By turning surplus into sustenance, FCC and the Regina Food Bank aren't just feeding mouths; they're inspiring hope, reducing waste, and building a more resilient, nourishing community.

To learn more about the initiative or the partnership please contact:

Evelyn Cerda,

Vice President, Regina Food Bank

ecerda@reginafoodbank.ca

Deborah Movoria

Communication Consultant, FCC

deborah.movoria@fcc-fac.ca