Ohio Pig Farmers Donate Pork Funding to Help Fight Hunger Across the State | Pork Industry News
The Ohio Pork Council is continuing its commitment to fighting food insecurity by donating a combined $6,000 to two major Ohio food banks, helping provide more than 18,000 meals to families in need across the state.
Through donations to the Freestore Foodbank in Greater Cincinnati and the Mid-Ohio Food Collective in central Ohio, Ohio pig farmers are helping increase access to high-quality pork protein, one of the most requested and difficult food items for food banks to secure.
Jess Stevens, an Ohio Pork Council member, and farmer from Waynesville (center right), presented a $3,000 donation for pork purchases to Freestore Foodbank representatives (left to right) Kreg Keesee, incoming CEO; Trish Lampe, sourcing manager, and Kurt Reiber, retiring CEO.
Pork Donations Support Families Across Ohio
Ohio’s pig farmers donated $3,000 to the Freestore Foodbank, which serves families in southwest Ohio, Northern Kentucky, and Southeast Indiana. The donation is expected to help provide approximately 9,000 meals throughout the region.
“Demand continues to rise, and support like this is critical to helping us meet the needs of families across our communities,” said Kurt Reiber, CEO of the Freestore Foodbank. “Being able to offer protein, especially pork, goes a long way. It’s something families truly value.”
The Freestore Foodbank supports more than 600 partner food pantries and programs across 20 counties. Protein remains one of the highest-demand food items for families facing hunger.
“We’re proud to support Freestore Foodbank and the important work they do every day,” said Jess Stevens, Ohio Pork Council and National Pork Board member and pig farmer from Waynesville. “As farmers, we care deeply about making sure families have access to safe, nutritious, and reliable sources of protein.”
Jarred Black, Ohio Pork Council’s president-elect (left) and Brad Heimerl, Ohio Pork Council’s treasurer (right); presented a $3,000 donation for pork purchases to the Mid-Ohio Food Collective, with Craig Truax, director of corporate partnerships, accepting.
Mid-Ohio Food Collective Receives Support
Ohio pig farmers also donated $3,000 to the Mid-Ohio Food Collective, which distributes more than 193,000 meals daily across 20 counties in central and eastern Ohio.
“Mid-Ohio Food Collective is incredibly grateful for the continued support and partnership of the Ohio Pork Council,” said Matt Habash, president and CEO of the organization. “One of the most requested, and most difficult items for food banks to secure is protein, especially high-quality animal protein.”
Jarred Black, president-elect of the Ohio Pork Council and pork producer from Canal Winchester, said supporting Ohio families remains important to the state’s pig farmers.
“As pig farmers, we take pride in raising nutritious pork, and it’s important to us that it reaches people who need it most right here in our communities,” Black said.
Ohio Pork Council’s Pork Power Initiative
The donations are part of the Ohio Pork Council’s Pork Power initiative, launched in 2009 to connect Ohio pork producers with food banks across the state. The organization also donated an additional $5,000 to the Greater Cleveland Food Bank earlier this year.
Guided by the pork industry’s We Care® ethical principles, Ohio pig farmers continue working to provide safe, nutritious, and affordable pork while supporting local communities and helping fight hunger.
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