Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association (SSGA) has launched its sixth annual Beef Drive for the Food Banks of Saskatchewan. This year’s goal is to surpass last year’s total by collecting over 10,000 pounds in beef in addition to direct financial donations made by our members.
“The food banks rely on the people of Saskatchewan to help out their neighbours. This is something our members can do to help make sure people have enough good food to eat,” SSGA president Kelcy Elford said. “This is our sixth year donating healthy and nutritious Saskatchewan-grown beef in support of the province’s food banks and people in need.”
Once again Cargill Ltd. is returning as this year’s Beef Drive sponsor. Cargill will match cash donations dollar for dollar up to $5,000.00.
“Now in our fourth year as a sponsor, we are grateful again to see the difference our industry can make when we work together to bring wholesome nutritious food to Saskatchewan food banks,” said Shannon Borden, Regional Sales Director Canada Cargill Health Technologies.
Michael Kincade, Executive Director, Food Banks of Saskatchewan, commended the SSGA on their sixth year of continued support to help feed Saskatchewan residents with food insecurities.
“Farmers and ranchers have always stepped up and helped their neighbours and friends in times of need,” he said. “Communities across Saskatchewan will benefit from their kind donation of fresh meat, a hard-to-come-by commodity in most food banks.
“We send a huge thank you out to Saskatchewan farmers, SSGA, Cargill, and the processors for their generosity and commitment to provide an exceptional source of protein to people who need it the most. Partnerships like this demonstrate the impact that can be achieved when we work together to address hunger in our communities.”
SSGA initiated its first Beef Drive on World Food Day in the fall of 2016 as a way for beef producers to support the 36 food banks in Saskatchewan. Producers or individuals can donate an animal or make a cash donation to help cover the processing costs of the donated animals.
Saskatchewan’s beef producers have contributed generously during the five previous beef drives. To date, over 38,000 pounds of ground beef have been collected for the Food Banks of Saskatchewan which retails at over $180,000.
For more information or to make a donation to the Beef Drive, contact the SSGA office at (306) 757-8523.
Meat Specifications
Any fresh/frozen meat food donations coming to the Food Bank must be processed through a registered abattoir, inspected (provincial or federal) and packaged to CFIA standards (labelled and dated)
Accepting 1 lb packages of regular or lean ground beef
Needs to be professionally processed & packaged
Temperature control must be maintained at temperatures of 4 degrees Celsius or colder and distributed in their original, unopened packaging.
Charitable Tax Receipts
Tax receipts will be issued by the Food Bank for any donations over $10.
Animal donations will be calculated based on the number of pounds of ground beef multiplied by the current fair market value.
Stats Canada fair market value for hamburger for October is $12.36/kg.