GUELPH, ONTARIO (May 13, 2020) – Front-line workers at the Sofina Foods Inc. processing plant in Burlington, ON were treated to lunch today as a token of appreciation from Ontario’s pork farmers.
“These front-line workers play an essential role in helping to keep fresh, high-quality Ontario pork on the plates of consumers,” explained Eric Schwindt, Ontario Pork board chair.
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 800 workers at the pork processing facility. The lunches were distributed to workers throughout the day, following health and safety protocols at the plant.
“Thank you to our Ontario farmers! Our employees were delighted and touched by this kind gesture,” said Kelly Gray, Director, Operations at Sofina. “It’s not just a lunch to them; it’s recognition for their dedication and hard work to keep the grocery store shelves stocked with nutritious pork products made in Ontario.”
The lunches were made possible through donations by local pork associations in Perth, Grey-Bruce, Kawartha Lakes, Oxford, Lambton and Niagara, as well as funding from the Ontario Pork board. “We truly are all in this together,” said Perth County pork producer John Nyenhuis. “Even as producers face challenges themselves they recognize the importance of 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 donations of fresh ground pork to food banks across Ontario. 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.