The Canadian Foodgrains Bank plans to add some new land to its production base in 2018.
Viterra Inc., one of the country’s largest grain-handling companies, announced it has granted the foodgrains bank permission to farm nearly 400 acres around six Viterra grain terminals in Alberta and Saskatchewan.
The agreement builds on last year’s successful pilot project that saw Viterra provide the foodgrains bank access to 42 acres of land to farm around Viterra terminals at Balgonie, Sask., and Stettler, Alta.
“We’re pleased to support the great work the foodgrains bank does in creating awareness about global hunger and trying to alleviate it in countries of need around the world,” said Kyle Jeworski, president and chief executive officer of Viterra’s North American operations.
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“By growing our program, we are able to provide our volunteer farmers more land, which means a larger overall contribution at harvest time.”
In addition to providing the land, Viterra will also provide the foodgrains bank with a donation of $5 for each tonne of grain that’s donated to the organization and delivered to any Viterra elevator across Western Canada.
Jim Cornelius, executive director of the foodgrains bank, said the partnership demonstrates the generosity of the Canadian agricultural community.
“Viterra is a longstanding partner of the foodgrains bank,” Cornelius said.
“We are excited to grow and expand our partnership in new ways, and we are grateful for Vit-erra’s continued support for the work of ending global hunger.”
The foodgrains bank is a partnership of 15 Canadian churches and church-based agencies working to end global hunger.
Its programs include growing projects, where farmers and donors plant, manage and harvest agricultural crops and donate the proceeds.
