Canadian Foodgrains Bank continues partnership with Viterra

Two organizations are continuing their efforts to deal with the world’s hunger crises that are driven by conflict, climate, and economic challenges impacting the rising cost of food.

For nine years Viterra and Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB) have partnered in growing projects to support the less fortunate.

Food security projects implemented through the Foodgrains Bank network include both humanitarian response projects that help people affected by conflicts and natural disasters, as well as development projects that help people reduce their vulnerability to hunger and improve their resiliency in the longer term, often through conservation agriculture training.

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. Once 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.

Viterra continues to provide 267 acres of land around five of its terminals in Alberta and Saskatchewan to the Foodgrains Bank.

Viterra Canada CEO Kyle Jeworski said supporting CFGB means fighting food insecurity in key regions around the world.

“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,” he said.

In addition to providing the land, Viterra will also 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.

Andy Harrington, executive director of the Foodgrains Bank, said 783 million people globally are experiencing hunger.

“Places like Sudan are experiencing crisis levels of food insecurity, the contribution of Canadian organizations towards this mission of ending hunger is vitally important,” Harrington said.

The Viterra terminals in Lethbridge and Trochu, Alta., along with Viterra terminals in Balgonie, Grenfell, and Raymore, Sask. are participating this year.