This week the Minnesota Pork Board, along with Compeer Financial, donated 9,000 pounds of ground pork to Second Harvest Heartland, the Upper Midwest's largest hunger relief organization. The Minnesota-based organizations continue to work together to provide hunger relief across the state and in their communities.

"We look forward to this donation from the Minnesota Pork Board every year, but it's especially needed as our food shelf partneres are reporting visitor increases as high as 30%, and we're seeing a 15% decrease in protein donations this year," said Second Harvest Heartland CEO, Allison O'Toole. "Donations like this make it possible for Second Harvest Heartland to rise to the occasion and meet the increased need for food support we are seeing across our region."

The donation was made possible by the Minnesota Pork Board's Oink Outings program and Compeer Financial's Fund for Rural America. In the summer months, Oink Outings are held at events around the Twin Cities with the mission of connecting pig farmers with consumers to answer questions about pigs, pork and sustainability. Each question someone asks results in one pound of pork donated to Second Harvest Heartland.

"I would like to thank Second Harvest Heartland for their work in feeding families in our communities and throughout the Midwest," stated Brad Hennen, president of the Minnesota Pork Board Board of Directors. "I'm also greatly appreciative of Compeer Financial and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture for their generosity and the important work they do every day to help Minnesota's farmers."

"Compeer Financial is honored to have the opportunity to work with Minnesota pork producers to donate to Second Harvest Heartland," added Dusty Compart, associate swine lending specialist for Compeer Financial. "It was insightful to learn about the impact Second Harvest Heartland has on communities in the area, and I encourage everyone to find ways to support their local food shelves to help combat hunger."

Source: The Minnesota Pork Board, which is solely responsible for the information provided, and wholly owns the information. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.