GUELPH, ONTARIO (June 29, 2020) – Front-line workers at the Conestoga Meats processing plant in Breslau, ON were treated to lunch on June 25 and 26 as a token of appreciation from Ontario's pork farmers.
"Throughout the pandemic, these front-line workers have continued to come into work every day and do what they do best; help keep fresh, high-quality Ontario pork on the plates of consumers," explained John de Bruyn, Ontario Pork board vice chair and Oxford County pork producer.
Foodies Anonymous, a Guelph-based catering firm and Ontario Pork brand partner, worked to create and deliver safe and delicious, individually packaged meals for more than 1,300 workers at the pork processing facility. The lunches were distributed to workers throughout last Thursday and Friday, following the plant's increased health and safety protocols.
"Thank you, Ontario pork producers! Our employees were grateful and touched by this kind gesture," said Arnold Drung, president of Conestoga Meats. "It's one thing for us here at Conestoga to recognize our employees' hard work and dedication to keep the grocery store shelves stocked with locally grown pork. But, it's another to have farmers go out of their way to show their appreciation."
The lunches were made possible through donations by local pork associations in Perth, Grey-Bruce, Kawartha Lakes, Oxford, Lambton, Wellington-Dufferin and Niagara, as well as funding from Ontario Pork and Conestoga Meats. "It's important that we all continue to look out for one another," said Perth County pork producer Stewart Skinner. "While we as producers continue to face challenges, we are all in this together, and it's important to keep stepping up to help others."
The donation is part of the Pork Industry Gratitude Project, a grassroots fundraising and positivity movement initiated by pork producers in Perth County.
About the Pork Industry Gratitude Project
The Pork Industry Gratitude Project is a grassroots fundraising and positivity movement initiated by producers in Perth County. The project is designed to enhance a spirit of cross-industry collaboration and promote food-focused giving. In addition to showing appreciation to plant workers in Ontario, the initiative will also help increase fresh ground pork donations to food banks across Ontario. To date, the project has raised more than $130,000, which helped cover the costs of the processing plant appreciation lunches and a cash donation for Friends of the Foodbank and additional funding set aside for local pork associations’ community-based food donations. For more information visit, ontariopork.on.ca/Communications/Giving-Back
About Ontario Pork
Ontario Pork represents the 1,180 farmers who market 5.5 million hogs in the province. The organization is engaged in many areas, including research, government representation, environmental issues, consumer education and food quality assurance. Ontario’s pork industry generates $2.6 billion in economic output and 13,186 in full-time equivalent jobs. For more information, visit Ontario Pork’s website at www.ontariopork.on.ca.
###
For more information, please contact:
Stacey Ash Manager, Communications and Consumer Marketing
Ontario Pork
Phone: 519-820-3119
stacey.ash@ontariopork.on.ca