By JANELLE DEATSMAN
Maple Leaf Farms Inc.

LEESBURG — Maple Leaf Farms recently joined forces with other Indiana-based poultry companies to donate more than 75 tons of poultry products to hunger relief organizations throughout the Hoosier state. Gov. Eric Holcomb and Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch were on hand at a special ceremony at the Statehouse to acknowledge the donations and recognize Indiana’s poultry industry.

“Maple Leaf Farms is keenly aware of the food insecurity issues that many Hoosiers face,” said Chief Operating Officer Scott Reinholt. “Throughout 2017, our company donated more than 12 tons of poultry products to hunger relief organizations to help our communities overcome this challenge.”

Organized by the Indiana State Poultry Association, this marks the 70th year the poultry industry in Indiana has organized a large-scale food donation to benefit charitable organizations in the state. The ISPA members who donate the products each year are responsible for more than 95 percent of the duck, chicken, turkey, and eggs produced in Indiana.

“As a family-owned business and a food company, Maple Leaf Farms takes pride in supporting families in our local communities with nutritious poultry products,” said Co-President Scott Tucker. “And we are extremely proud to be part of an industry that has been focused on hunger relief for 70 years.”

In addition to donating food to the Food Bank of Northern Indiana and Community Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Indiana, Maple Leaf Farms also made direct contributions to local food pantries throughout Kosciusko County.

“The charities we work with have taught us that food, particularly meat and poultry, is always a great need,” said Co-President John Tucker. “We are pleased that our donations can benefit our communities.”