AGT FOODS PARTNERS WITH FOOD BANKS CANADA AND DRIVE AWAY HUNGER IN THE “AGT FOOD BANK CROP EXCHANGE PROGRAM” PRODUCER DONATION PROGRAM
AGT Foods and Ingredients Inc. (“AGT Foods”), in partnership with Food Banks Canada and Drive Away Hunger, is pleased to announce the “AGT Food Bank Crop Exchange Program”, a program connecting generous producers across Saskatchewan with food banks in their communities. The program asks producers to donate a portion of their crop delivery when they deliver to their local AGT Foods delivery location, the proceeds from which go to support local food banks across Saskatchewan and Western Canada.
“The world is facing a growing crisis of food scarcity, food security and food inflation. This crisis is not limited to faraway places, but right here at home as well. Saskatchewan producers are important to global food security because of what we produce, supplying wheat, canola and pulses, all critical commodities, to feed the world. Along with our partners at Food Banks Canada, Drive Away Hunger and FCC, we are able to connect the output and donations from the great producers we have in the province with organizations who can distribute and families who can really use the nutritious food products that this program will make available in a way that can really make a difference for these families and communities. This is one more way that AGT Foods is active in ensuring strong communities in Saskatchewan and Western Canada, ensuring we help to feed people everywhere,” said Murad Al-Katib, President and CEO of AGT Foods.
To participate in the AGT Food Bank Crop Exchange Program, producers simply commit to an amount and “Round Down” their delivery when dropping off their load of pulses, grains and canola at an AGT Foods facility. For example, if the producer’s delivery load to AGT Foods is 40 metric tonnes (“mt”) and they choose to donate 1 mt, they will receive a taxable receipt for their 1 mt donation at fair market value and payment for 39 mt. In turn, local and provincial food banks will receive a dollar-for-dollar food credit with AGT Foods towards pasta, rice, pulses and staple foods from AGT Foods’ retail brands, including CLIC, Tamam canned and small pack products as well as Arbella Pasta, products from AGT Foods’ Veggi line of plant-based foods and other staple food products offered by AGT Foods. This year, donations will be eligible to be matched by Farm Credit Canada (“FCC”) through the “Drive Away Hunger” program up to a total maximum of $1 million.
“Food does not come from a grocery store; it comes from a farmer. This program represents the best of prairie people. By showcasing our generosity, and the impact of our agriculture sector, we can fight record hunger. We are so grateful for AGT, producers and our partners like Drive Away Hunger,” John Bailey, CEO, Regina Food Bank.
“FCC congratulates AGT Foods on its ingenuity in creating the Crop Exchange Program,” said Justine Hendricks, FCC president and CEO. “AGT Foods is a shining example of the power the agriculture and food industry has to positively impact food security in Canada. As longtime partners of the Regina Food Bank through Drive Away Hunger, we look forward to seeing AGT producers make the most of this donation opportunity.”
Producers wishing to participate in donations can contact their AGT Foods Grain Buyer or visit AGT4Producers.com for more information.