Minnesota Pork Board Marks October Pork Month With Food Shelf Donation
The Minnesota Pork Board (MPB) donated 1,860 pounds of ground pork to Second Harvest Heartland, the Upper Midwest's largest hunger relief organization, to help feed families in need across the state. The donation also corresponds with October Pork Month, which recognizes Minnesota farmers' commitment to bringing safe and nutritious pork to consumers' dinner tables. Both MPB and Second Harvest Heartland are Minnesota-based organizations.
The pork donation is attributable to consumer participation at seven MPB Oink Outings that took place at several Twin Cities events this summer. At the Oink Outings, consumers' who asked Minnesota pork producers any pig- or pork-related question triggered a one-pound ground pork donation to Second Harvest Heartland.
"We enjoyed involving consumers, as well as Minnesota pork producers, in this effort and we are proud to help support Second Harvest Heartland," said Dave Preisler, MPB Executive Director.
Preisler attributes MPB exceeding its original goal of a 1,500-pound donation to consumer interest in learning more about Minnesota pork production, farmers' desire to hear from consumers, and Second Harvest Heartland's reputation as a successful hunger relief network. Preisler says the donation will provide 7,400 servings of pork.
"Second Harvest Heartland extends our sincere gratitude to the Minnesota Pork Board for their generous gift," said Rob Zeaske, Second Harvest Heartland Executive Director. "Donations of proteins like pork are tremendously valuable, as they are some of the most costly to buy for our neighbors in need. Thanks to the Minnesota Pork Board, so many families will be able to enjoy this filling, nutritious food."
About Minnesota Pork Board
The MPB administers programs relating to pork promotion, consumer and producer education and swine research on behalf of the 4,400 Minnesota pork producing families who pay into the mandatory Pork Checkoff.
About Second Harvest Heartland
Second Harvest Heartland not only strives to feed people today, but attempts to provide the means for everyone to be fed tomorrow. In 2010, the organization distributed nearly 60 million pounds of food with the help of partners, volunteers and donors, such as MN Pork. As a community, we can work to relieve hunger in the Twin Cities and nationwide.
Oct. 13, 2011 - Minnesota Pork Board (MPB) is donating 1,860 pounds of ground pork to Second Harvest Heartland, the Upper Midwest’s largest hunger relief organization, to help feed families in need across the state. The donation will take place Friday, Oct. 14 at Second Harvest Heartland, 1140 Gervais Ave., St. Paul, at 10 a.m. It will be followed by a tour of Second Harvest Heartland faciltites at 10:30 a.m.
The pork donation is attributable to consumer participation at seven MPB Oink Outings that took place at several Twin Cities events this summer. At the Oink Outings, consumers’ who asked Minnesota pork producers any pig- or pork-related question triggered a one-pound ground pork donation to Second Harvest Heartland.
Attendees at the Donation Event:
Dave Frederickson, Commissioner, Minn. Department of Agriculture
Rob Zeaske, Executive Director, Second Harvest Heartland
Tony Mans, Director of Food Securing, Second Harvest Heartland
Dave Preisler, Executive Director, MPB
Bill Crawford, President, MPB
Jim Compart, President, Minnesota Pork Producers Association
When
Friday, October 14, 2011
10:00 a.m. presentation of MPB donation
10:30 a.m. tour of Second Harvest Heartland
Where:
Second Harvest Heartland
1140 Gervais Ave., St. Paul
About MPB: The MPB administers programs relating to pork promotion, consumer and producer education and swine research on behalf of the 4,400 Minnesota pork producing amilies who pay into the mandatory Pork Checkoff. For more information, visit mnpork.com.
About Second Harvest Heartland: Second Harvest Heartland, a Minnesota-based food bank, not only strives to feed people today, but attempts to provide the means for everyone to be fed tomorrow. In 2010, the organization distributed nearly 60 million pounds of food with the help of partners, volunteers and donors, such as MN Pork. As a community, we can work to relieve hunger in the Twin Cities and nationwide. For more information visit 2harvest.org.
PQA Plus and TQA certification programs for hog farmers and transporters Oct. 19 in Blue Earth
Pork producers and livestock transporters can earn their individual certifications for Pork Quality Assurance Plus (PQA Plus) and Transport Quality Assurance (TQA) at free trainings on Oct. 19 at the Faribault County Ag Center, 415 South Grove Street, Blue Earth, Minn.
The PQA Plus training will be from 10 a.m. to noon and the TQA training will be from 1:30-4 p.m.
To assure adequate seating and materials, preregistration is strongly encouraged. To preregister, telephone the Minnesota Pork Board office at (800) 537-7675 or e-mail colleen@mnpork.com. When preregistering, provide your name, address, telephone number and e-mail, if available.
PQA Plus is required as a condition of sale by nearly all packers for those individuals who provide daily care of pigs, such as owners, managers and employees. The PQA Plus training also describes the site assessment process and how to achieve PQA Plus Site Status. The minimum age for PQA Plus certification eligibility is 14.
TQA training is also a common hog packer requirement for the drivers delivering hogs to the plant and for on-farm animal handlers.
Pork producers can check their PQA Plus and TQA certification status by calling the Pork Checkoff Service Center at (800) 456-7675. Contact your hog buyer/packer for their specific PQA Plus certification, PQA Plus Site Status and TQA certification requirements.
PQA
Plus and TQA trainings are hosted by the Minnesota Pork
Board, Pork Checkoff and University of Minnesota Extension
Swine Team. For additional training locations and dates
go to www.mnpork.com.
