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Ohio celebrates October Pork Month

October is National Pork Month and in Ohio that means pork producers sharing some of what they produce with food banks around the state.

Jennifer Keller, director of marketing and education for the Ohio Pork Producers Council (OPPC) tells Brownfield their efforts this year received a boost when Farm Credit Services of Mid-America came through with a $25.000 donation.

“What we are doing with that, we’re purchasing pigs, so we’re buying additional hogs from Ohio farmers, we’re doing business with Ohio processors and then donating the pork to the food banks, so that’s helping all levels of Ohio’s economy,” Keller said.

Keller says it’s all part of a program that Ohio pork producers began two years ago called “Pork Power: Partnering to Fight Hunger in Ohio.”

“We are at 450,000 meals of pork donated in the last two years, that’s 90,000 pounds,” said Keller. “We are planning another 25,000 pound donation, or 125,000 meals, all to go out on November 1, 2011.

There is a way for you to be involved, on October 31 the OPPC and Farm Credit Services will host a Facebook event call “Help Farmers Fight Hunger Virtually,” for each person attending the event, one meal of ground pork will be donated to the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks.

Audio: Jennifer Keller, Ohio Pork Producers Council (6:35 MP3)