MISSISSAUGA, ON, April 14, 2020 /CNW/ - Maple Leaf Foods ("Maple
Leaf") and the Centre for Action on Food Security ("The Centre")
launched a $2 million campaign to
support emergency food relief efforts across Canada.
"The COVID-19 pandemic has critically heightened the ongoing
issue of food insecurity in Canada, which already affects over 4.4 million
people including 1 in 6 children," said Lynda Kuhn, Chair of the Maple Leaf Centre for
Action on Food Security. "As a result, organizations which focus on
social inclusion and sustainable solutions to alleviate poverty and
its impacts are pivoting to meet the urgent immediate need for more
food, for more people."
"At a time when self-isolation is a public health imperative, it
is strikingly more difficult for people who lack the resources to
safely meet the basic needs of their families. Food Banks Canada,
Community Food Centres Canada and many organizations are doing
extraordinary work to help fellow Canadians who are most
vulnerable. Through this campaign, we are committed to supporting
and expanding their dauntless efforts and outreach."
Maple Leaf and the Centre have committed over $1 million in financial contributions and a
further $350,000 in product donations
towards these efforts and is asking Canadians to join with us by
visiting www.aparttogether.ca and making a direct donation to
either Community Food Centres Canada or Food Banks Canada. Maple
Leaf has redirected its advertising investment to promote the issue
through a multi-media campaign on both television and social
media.
"Already, one in eight Canadians lacked access to good
food—but food insecurity has now become an even deeper national
crisis," says Nick Saul, CEO of
Community Food Centres Canada. "Our national network of Community
Food Centres and Good Food Organizations has been working
tirelessly to safely provide good food to their communities. These
matching funds will inspire people from all over Canada to contribute and will enable these
organizations to continue their essential work."
"While the need for food banks was already unacceptable, the
extreme demands of the COVID-19 pandemic has made helping our most
vulnerable neighbours much harder," says Chris Hatch, CEO of Food Banks
Canada. "This generous donation from Maple Leaf Foods and the
Centre for Action on Food Security will help bring relief to the
more than 3000 food banks and agencies Food Banks Canada supports
and who are working tirelessly on the frontline."
About Maple Leaf Foods
Maple Leaf Foods is a producer of food products under leading
brands including Maple Leaf®, Maple Leaf Prime®, Maple Leaf Natural
Selections®, Schneider's®, Schneiders® Country Naturals®,
Mina®, Greenfield Natural Meat Co.®, Lightlife®, Field Roast Grain
Meat Co.TM and Swift®. Maple Leaf employs approximately 13,000
people and does business in Canada, the U.S. and Asia.
The Company is headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario and
its shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (MFI).
Website: MapleLeafFoods.com
Twitter: @MapleLeafFoods
The Maple Leaf Centre for Action on Food Security
The Maple Leaf Centre for Action on Food Security (the Centre)
is a registered charity committed to working collaboratively,
across sectors, to reduce food insecurity in Canada by
50% by 2030. The Centre advocates for critical public policies and
works with innovative food-based programs that advance the capacity
of people and communities to achieve sustainable food
security.
The Centre was created in 2016 and is governed by a board of
directors, including four independent experts. Since its inception,
Maple Leaf has contributed a minimum of 1% pre-tax profits annually
to support the Centre and other community investments, totalling
over $10 million in financial contributions and
gifts-in-kind. The Centre builds on its strong connection with
Maple Leaf, enabling greater public awareness, volunteer
participation and skills matching to increase capacity in
community-based organizations.
SOURCE Maple Leaf Foods Inc.