Indiana Poultry Producers Making a Difference with Donations
In their traditional, annual donation of poultry products to Hoosier food banks, Indiana Poultry Producers are making a difference for hungry Hoosiers, both at Thanksgiving and all year long. This week, over 25 tons of poultry products were donated to Gleaners Food Bank. Jon Elliott, CEO of Gleaners, says these kinds of large donations really make a difference, “On any given day, we have 1 million Hoosiers who are food insecure, so the need is great.”
Not only do poultry producers donate at Thanksgiving, but they also make donations throughout the year. During 2016, 1.2 million eggs and 910,000 pounds of poultry meat have been donated. Elliott says donations of poultry and egg products are especially needed by food banks, “The donation of eggs, milk, and meat are the kinds of donations that are hard for us to get, so these donations really mean a lot.”
Paul Brennan, with the Indiana Poultry Producers Association, says it is the industry’s efficiency that allows them to make these kind of large donations, “We can produce the most amount of product with the least amount of resources.” He told HAT this kind of donation highlights the giving back attitude of the industry. The donations were highlighted during special ceremonies at the state Capitol on Monday. ISDA Director Ted McKinney received the donations in lieu of the Lt. Governor who usually accepts the donation on behalf of Hoosiers.