Berrien County Farm Bureau Helps Fight Hunger
On Friday, August 21, 2015, Berrien County Farm Bureau purchased 15 second-destination hogs from exhibitors at the Berrien County Youth Fair Livestock Auction. Board member Dale Robson was in charge of purchasing the animals.
“Each year around fair time, because it’s the end of our fiscal year, if we have money left over, we use those funds to purchase second-destination hogs. This year we were able to purchase fifteen hogs,” he said.
Along with purchasing the hogs, Berrien County Farm Bureau also pays for the slaughter and meat processing.
On Monday, Sept. 14, more than 3,015 pounds of processed pork was delivered to the Southwest Michigan Community Action Agency (SWMCAA) in Benton Harbor on behalf of Berrien County Farm Bureau members.
Yvonne Vidt, a representative for SWMCAA, said she is extremely thankful for the continuous support from Berrien County Farm Bureau.
“Pork is an extremely desired product in our community,” she said.
Yvonne estimates that more than 100 families will utilize the freezer warehouse in the food pantry for their meals this month. And she expects the 3,015 pounds of pork will be gone by Nov. 16, which is the kickoff for the annual Stuff-A-Truck event.
In addition to the donated pork, Berrien County Farm Bureau also donates towards Stuff-A-Truck each year. Last year, the Berrien County Farm Bureau Young Farmer committee donated $400 towards the event, while the board of directors donated $600—making our total contribution $1,000.
“The Southwest Michigan Community Action Agency is a tri-county organization supporting the Berrien, Cass and Van Buren county areas,” Yvonne said. “We are always in dire need of frozen or processed meat products and are so grateful for the continued support we receive from the Berrien County Farm Bureau.”
For more information regarding the Berrien County Farm Bureau, making pork donations to the SWMCAA or getting involved with the county Farm Bureau, please contact Sara Seyfred at (269) 473-4701.