It’s ‘Chicken as Usual’ during Local Food Week

Jun 08, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON – During Local Food Week, Chicken Farmers of Ontario (CFO) would like to thank consumers who are continuing to support the over 1,300 local chicken farmer-families raising ‘Chicken as Usual’ for Ontarians amidst the on-going COVID-19 pandemic. Local Food Week is an annual recognition and celebration of the bounty of fresh and healthy food grown and processed in Ontario.

CFO’s ‘Chicken as Usual’ campaign was created at the onset of the pandemic to assure Ontarians that while many common routines have changed – and things are not business as usual – “Ontario's chicken farmers are on the job and committed to raising locally grown chicken for families and for food banks,” said Ed Benjamins, Chair, Chicken Farmers of Ontario.

In celebration of Local Food Week, the Ontario government released the 2021 Local Food Report, which highlights CFO’s ‘Chicken as Usual’ campaign.

“Local food week in Ontario is an excellent opportunity to celebrate our agri-food heroes across the local food supply chain,” said Ernie Hardeman, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
“Chicken Farmers of Ontario have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to providing a steady supply of safe, healthy chicken throughout the pandemic.”

Source : CFO

Video: What Does 20 MILLION Hogs a Year Look Like?

?? The Multi-Plant System Processing 20 Million Hogs Annually in the Midwest JBS USA operates multiple large-scale pork processing facilities across the Midwest, including major plants in Iowa, Minnesota, and Indiana. Combined, these facilities have the capacity to process approximately 20 million hogs annually.

Each plant operates high-speed automated slaughter systems capable of processing up to 20,000 head per day, followed by fabrication lines that break carcasses into primals, sub-primals, and case-ready retail products.

Hog procurement is coordinated through electronic marketing platforms that connect regional contract finishing operations and independent producers to plant demand schedules. This digital procurement system allows for steady supply flow and scheduling efficiency across multiple facilities.

Processing plants incorporate comprehensive food safety systems, including pathogen intervention technologies, rapid chilling processes, and integrated cold-chain management. USDA inspection is embedded throughout the harvest and fabrication stages to ensure regulatory compliance and product integrity. Finished pork products — from bulk primals to retail-ready packaged cuts — are distributed through coordinated logistics networks serving domestic and export markets.