REGINA, SASKATCHEWAN, CANADA — Viterra Canada is partnering with the Canadian Foodgrains Bank by providing 267 acres of land around five of its grain terminals in Alberta and Saskatchewan to grow crops for the group's international efforts to feed the hungry.
The donated plots of land are used by farmers who volunteer their time, expertise and resources to grow crops as part of a community-led growing project, or as an addition to their own farmwork. After the crops are harvested, the proceeds from the sale of the crops are donated to the Foodgrains Bank to support local partner organizations around the world who are working to end hunger.
The Viterra terminals in Lethbridge and Trochu, Alberta, along with terminals in Balgonie, Grenfell, and Raymore, Saskatchewan, are participating this year. This will be the ninth consecutive year for the partnership. In addition to providing the land, Viterra will provide the Foodgrains Bank with a donation of $5 for each tonne of crops donated to the organization through its grain elevators in Western Canada.
“For nearly a decade, we’ve been proudly supporting the Canadian Foodgrains Bank and its focus on fighting food insecurity in key regions around the world,” said Kyle Jeworski, chief executive officer, Viterra Canada. “I’d like to thank our employees and farmers that will be involved in this year’s growing projects for their time and dedication in supporting this important cause.”
The Canadian Foodgrains Bank is a partnership of 15 churches and church agencies working together to end hunger. In the 2022-23 budget year, the Foodgrains Bank provided $79.8 million of assistance for 1.1 million people in 36 countries with support from the government of Canada.
Food security projects implemented through the Canadian Foodgrains Bank network include both humanitarian response projects that help people affected by conflicts and natural disasters. Development projects that help reduce vulnerability to hunger and improve resiliency in the longer term, often through conservation agriculture training, also are facilitated.
“With 783 million people globally experiencing hunger, and places like Sudan experiencing crisis levels of food insecurity, the contribution of Canadian organizations toward this mission of ending hunger is vitally important,” said Andy Harrington, executive director of the Foodgrains Bank. “We’re very grateful for the support Viterra continues to give and for their partnership over the past nine years.”
