December 21, 2020

Zoetis supports US pork-based hunger relief programme with US$25,000 donation

A programme, called "Pass the Pork", had started in late April to generate pork donations to needy residents in Iowa, the United States, and is getting support from Zoetis which is donating US$25,000.

Pass the Pork is developed for the processing and storage of ground pork that will provide 40,000 servings of pork to Iowans in need. It is a coordinated programme that has support from the Feeding Iowans Task Force, the Iowa Food Bank Association, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, the Iowa State University Meats Laboratory and the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA).

"We appreciate the efforts of everyone involved in Pass the Pork as they work to lend a hand in their Iowa communities, and we are pleased to support the programme," said Shari Westerfeld, vice president of US Pork at Zoetis. 

"At the very heart of it, the reason we raise pigs is to help provide food for our families, our neighbors and for those well beyond our borders," said Mike Paustian, an Iowa pig farmer from Walcott who is IPPA president. "Unfortunately, COVID-related challenges have deepened food insecurity. The Iowa Food Bank Association tells us there has been a double-digit increase in need at food banks across the state. We welcome this generous donation from Zoetis to help Iowans struggling with hunger."

When Pass the Pork was first launched, it was also targeted at helping Iowa pork producers find market outlets for pigs backing up on farms due to food supply chain disruptions. 

"Zoetis is proud to support Iowa pig farmers who are providing pork to food-insecure families through the Pass the Pork programme, as well as raising safe, nutritious pork for all families," said Westerfeld. "We are committed to working with farmers at all times to help ensure a safe and sustainable food supply through our ongoing work in advancing animal health."

Throughout this year, Zoetis has been working to help provide food banks and pantries across the US with sources of fresh dairy, meat and poultry products through both cash donations and the delivery of cold-storage units, a capacity often in short supply at food banks and especially local food pantries. These support initiatives are meant to encourage others to also donate to food banks and pantries.

- Zoetis