SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Illinois Pork Producers Association (IPPA), along with several agricultural partners, is helping fight food insecurity across Illinois with the donation of more than 101,000 pounds of pork to regional food banks through the 2026 Pork Power: Partnering to Fight Hunger in Illinois campaign.
The annual initiative brings together Illinois pork producers, the Illinois Corn Growers Association, Illinois Soybean Association, Illinois Association of Meat Processors and Feeding Illinois to provide nutritious, high-quality protein to families facing food insecurity. The program highlights the continued commitment of Illinois agriculture to supporting local communities and ensuring families have access to essential food resources.
For the second consecutive year, Feeding Illinois matched the Illinois Pork Producers Association’s monetary contribution to its member food banks, effectively doubling the amount of ground pork available through the 2026 Pork Power program.
In addition to financial contributions, Illinois pork producers can donate market hogs directly to the program. This year, producer hog donations accounted for more than 7,000 pounds of ground pork, further expanding the initiative’s reach.
“Protein is one of the most requested and hardest-to-source items at food banks, which is what makes the Pork Power program so meaningful. From the grain farmers who donate at harvest to the hog farmers, local processors, and our seven-member food banks, this program is Illinois agriculture taking care of Illinois families. Feeding Illinois is proud to partner with the Illinois Pork Producers Association.” Said Deirdre Boone, Executive Director. “Together, with our match made possible by the Illinois Farm to Food Bank Program, we invested nearly $240,000 last year to deliver more than 90,000 pounds of fresh pork statewide. We are grateful to IPPA for their commitment and look forward to growing this partnership.”
The 2026 donation builds on the success of previous years, demonstrating the growing impact of partnerships between agricultural organizations, livestock producers, meat processors and hunger-relief organizations.
While the holiday season often brings increased attention to charitable giving, Illinois pork producers recognize that food insecurity is a year-round challenge. Through initiatives such as Pork Power, producers are working to make nutritious pork more accessible to families throughout the state.
The Illinois Soybean Association is among the agricultural organizations supporting the effort, emphasizing the important relationship between crop production, livestock agriculture and community food assistance.
“The Pork Power program is a great example of how collaboration across agriculture can strengthen communities. ISA is proud to partner with IPPA to help deliver nutritious pork to food banks and families throughout Illinois and beyond,” said Bryan Severs, Illinois farmer and Illinois Soybean Association Chairman.
Local meat processors also play an essential role in the program by processing donated hogs into ground pork that can be distributed through participating food banks.
“Members of the Illinois Association of Meat Processors truly appreciate the opportunity to process thousands of pounds of Illinois pork into ground pork for the 2026 Pork Power program. This program provides nutritious, protein-packed pork to Illinois residents experiencing food insecurity. Our partnership with the Illinois Pork Producers Association spans nearly 20 years, and it’s exciting to see the program continue to grow with the added support of Feeding Illinois.” said Dianne Handsaker, Executive Secretary of the Illinois Association of Meat Processors.
Additional support for the program comes from commodity partners, local pork packers and processors, Illinois pig farmers and individuals who purchased themed T-shirts benefiting the Pork Power initiative.
Eight Regional Food Banks Receive Pork Donations
The 2026 Pork Power campaign is distributing pork donations to eight regional food banks serving communities throughout Illinois and surrounding areas. Participating organizations include Central Illinois Food Bank, St. Louis Area Food Bank, Northern Illinois Food Bank, Midwest Food Bank, Greater Chicago Food Depository, River Bend Food Bank, Tri-State Food Bank and Eastern Illinois Food Bank.
These organizations help distribute food to families, individuals and community food assistance programs, ensuring the donated pork reaches households experiencing food insecurity.
The program is supported by Feeding Illinois, the Illinois Corn Growers Association, the Illinois Soybean Association and the Illinois Association of Meat Processors, along with participating pork producers and industry supporters.
Illinois Pork Industry Continues Commitment to Communities
The Illinois Pork Producers Association represents pork producers throughout the state. Illinois pork production and processing contribute more than $13.8 billion to the state’s economy and support more than 57,000 jobs.
As an affiliate of the National Pork Producers Council and National Pork Board, IPPA works to represent pork producers, support industry initiatives and strengthen connections between Illinois agriculture and the communities it serves.
Through the continued growth of the Pork Power program, Illinois pork producers and their agricultural partners are demonstrating how the state’s farming and food production industries can work together to address hunger while providing families with a nutritious source of protein.
For more information about the Illinois Pork Producers Association and its programs, visit www.ilpork.com.
