As part of Pork Power: Partnering to Fight Hunger in Illinois campaign, the Illinois Pork Producers Association (IPPA), Illinois Corn Marketing Board (ICMB) and the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) Checkoff Program donated 64,497 pounds of pork to food banks throughout the state in 2021.

Since its inception in 2008, the Pork Power program has generated over 986,000 pounds of pork — enough for over 3 million meals — for families throughout Illinois. 

"IL Corn is proud to invest in this program to help provide nutritious pork to those struggling each day, but especially during the pandemic," says Art Bunting, ICMB director. 

Towards the end of each calendar year IPPA turns the remaining funds into ground pork and divides it among the regional food banks in the state. As part of the end-of-the-year giving campaign, over 45,000 pounds were delivered to the Illinois regional food banks in the months of November and December alone, just in time for the holidays. 

"Partnership with IL Corn and IL Pork is invaluable to us, and when we can leverage that partnership to support food banks that help those in need, it benefits everyone involved," says Scott Gaffner, ISA director. "Together we help feed and fuel the world."

End-of-the-year giving campaign recipients: 

The following processors contributed time and talent towards these ground pork donations: 

"Illinois pig farmers are pleased to provide quality protein to those in need, especially during the holidays," says IPPA Board Member Pam Janssen. "Pork is a versatile protein, and ground pork is easy to use in so many meals."

IPPA encourages pig farmers to participate in the program by covering processing fees of their donated pigs. Farmers can go to the IPPA website to learn more about the donation process. This program would not be possible without the help of local packers and processors across the state, and those who purchased a themed t-shirt that profited the program.