Farm Credit Mid-America, Rural 1st, and several area county fairs have partnered together to raise food donations to benefit local food banks as part of a statewide food drive contest. Now in its third year, “Fight Hunger, Stock the Trailer” is a friendly competition that helps junior fairs raise food donations for local food banks across Ohio. The contest is one of many ways Farm Credit Mid-America and Rural 1st give back to rural communities and support local agriculture.
“‘Fight Hunger, Stock the Trailer’ has grown from a pilot project to a state-wide initiative that encourages the local community to come out and help stock the shelves at local food banks,” said Evan Hahn, a regional vice president of agricultural lending for Farm Credit Mid-America in Ohio. “Last year, over 50 junior fairs across Ohio collected nearly 170,000 pounds of food that went on to benefit 74 local food banks. We’re very excited to see what the growth and impact will look like as the contest enters its third year this summer.”
Local community members may bring non-perishable food items to the Morrow County Fair from Aug. 28 through Sept. 4
Attendees may look for signs and banners to direct them to the food donation area at each county fairground. The total weight of all donations will be calculated at the end of the fair, with first, second, and third place, as well as cash prizes, awarded to the fairs that raise the most food at the end of the summer.
Prizes include a $500 award for each county fair that contributes, followed by a $5,000 donation to the fair that raises the most food. The second-place fair will receive $3,500 and the third-place fair will receive $1,500. All prize money awarded will support local junior fair activities.
The “Fight Hunger, Stock the Trailer” contest is being hosted on a regional basis. Farm Credit Mid-America Financial Officer Robb Webb, Associate Financial Officer Lindy McLaughlin, and Financial Relationship Specialist Jennifer Yates are local leaders of the “Fight Hunger, Stock the Trailer” initiative. To learn about which counties are participating in 2023, reach out to Farm Credit Mid-America and Rural 1st at 330-823-8884.
Submitted by Farm Credit Mid-America.
