Monsanto is addressing food insecurity in rural Missouri. This weekend at the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia the company will donate $50,000 to the Missouri Farmers Care (MFC) Drive to Feed Kids for its efforts to combat food insecurity and childhood hunger in the state.
MFC, which promotes the continued growth of Missouri agriculture and rural communities through coordinated communication, education, and advocacy, launched its Drive to Feed Kids program in 2017 in partnership with Missouri FFA. This is the second year Monsanto, alongside other agriculture organizations, has sponsored the initiative.
Feeding America estimates that more than 240,000 Missouri children struggle with hunger daily. Of the counties with the highest rates of food insecurity, most are rural where it is estimated that one-in-three children are hungry.
“When you think about the face of hunger, many may find it hard to believe that its picture can be seen in our farming communities,” said Lisa Safarian, Monsanto North America Lead. “Our support of the Missouri Farmers Care Drive to Feed Kids program aligns with our company’s commitment of providing farmers with the necessary tools needed to feed families around the world, and giving back to the communities where our employees and customers live and work.”
On Tuesday, Aug. 14, employee volunteers from Monsanto’s St. Louis and Marshall locations participated in the Missouri FFA Food Insecurity Day at the Missouri State Fair. They, along with several hundred FFA student volunteers, packed 100,000 nutritious kid-friendly meals that will be distributed by Feeding Missouri to six regional food banks within the state.
“More than 680 FFA students came together to help raise awareness about food insecurity in the state of Missouri and to highlight the great job Missouri farmers and ranchers do in providing us with safe, wholesome food,” said Alan Wessler, D.V.M., Missouri Farmers Care Chairman. “The Drive to Feed Kids event wouldn’t be possible without partnering with Missouri State Fair, FFA and Feeding Missouri, and the support of sponsors like Monsanto, who identify with the cause and want to be a part of the solution. We thank them for their continued support in ensuring young children across the state have access to safe, nutritious meals.”
