JEFFERSON CITY, MO – The Missouri Farmers Care Drive to Feed Kids, presented in partnership with ADM and Brownfield Ag News, officially kicked off the 2023 initiative this week. Employees at the ADM Milling facility in Carthage, Mo., packed over 9,000 meals on Tuesday, Oct. 25. The meals will be distributed to individuals facing food insecurity in Southwest Missouri through Feeding Missouri partner food bank, Ozarks Food Harvest.

ADM, a global leader in human and animal nutrition, first joined the Drive to Feed Kids in 2022. In the last year, the collaborative effort helped provide 2,425,185 meals to support food-insecure children across Missouri. Since 2017, the Drive has provided over 11 million meals to create brighter days for hungry Missourians.

“As one of the world’s largest nutrition companies, ADM is committed to addressing food insecurity issues and supporting the communities where we live and work,” said Charlotte Montague, Commercial Manager at ADM. “ADM’s partnership with the Missouri Farmers Care Drive to Feed Kids opens a door for participants to make a concerted effort in the fight against hunger. We are thrilled to support the state of Missouri where we have significant operations and employees.”

ADM’s meal packing event kicks off a year of service by Missouri agriculture standing in the gap for Missourians facing hunger. Meal packing events, food drives, building and stocking neighborhood pantries, and a variety of other service projects that address community level needs are key ways Missouri’s agribusinesses, agriculture organizations, and producers come together to assist their neighbors.

For the fourth year, Missouri 4-H clubs and FFA chapters are invited to apply for grants of up to $250 to match their efforts to address food insecurity locally. New this year, collegiate agriculture organizations are also invited to apply for grants to begin or expand service projects addressing hunger. Grant applications are now being accepted. Applications, guidelines and additional information can be found at mofarmerscare.com/drive.

"Brownfield Ag News believes strongly in the mission and we are proud to continue our partnership with the Drive to Feed Kids, now in our seventh year," said Cyndi Young, director of Brownfield Ag News. "Educating Missourians about food-insecurity in our state and providing food for hungry children in Missouri is simply the right thing to do."

Hogs for Hunger, another key strategy of the Drive, will return for 2023. Missouri pig farmers along with 4-H and FFA swine exhibitors have an opportunity to change the lives of neighbors, friends and classmates by contributing pigs and pork to address hunger in their communities. To donate locally, pig farmers and swine exhibitors book processing spots at USDA or state-inspected lockers, coordinate and deliver the pork to the Feeding Missouri food pantry of choice, and the Missouri Farmers Care Foundation (MFCF) will reimburse processing costs, up to $1.25 per pound. In addition, 50 pigs will be accepted at the Missouri State Fair. Feeding Missouri will provide exhibitors with an $0.80-per-pound live weight stipend on market hogs committed to Hogs for Hunger and the Missouri Farmers Care Foundation will cover processing costs.

“In 2020, about one in seven Missouri children faced the threat of hunger,” says Heather Hargrove, Executive Director of Feeding Missouri. “Although some things have improved since the start of the pandemic, inflation continues to hit families hard. Missouri food banks are working tirelessly to ensure our youngest neighbors aren’t wondering where their next meal will come from; but they cannot do this without the continued support of organizations like Missouri Farmers Care and initiatives like Drive to Feed Kids.”

The Drive to Feed Kids impact on addressing food insecurity is made possible through the collaborative efforts of many partners and supporters. Missouri 4-H kicks off 4-H Feeding Missouri Jan. 1 with a substantial goal – to raise 800,000 meals through food drives, donations and volunteer hours. In February, Missouri Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers will come together to pack over 20,000 meals. At the Western Farm Show Feb. 24-26 in Kansas City, FFA members and attendees will “Unite Against Hunger” joining the initiative for the first time through their food drive. Service activities will continue through the spring and summer, culminating at the Missouri State Fair in August in Sedalia. As part of the state fair initiatives, 4-H members will pack meals on Farm Family Day. On Missouri FFA Food Insecurity Service Day, hundreds of FFA members will pack over 150,000 meals, while fairgoers make a difference through Missouri Farmers Care Food Drive $2 Tuesday. The Drive to Feed Kids will conclude during an announcement of the 2023 impact at a Missouri State Fair concert.

“The huge heart of Missouri agriculture is on display through the Drive to Feed Kids,” said Missouri Farmers Care Executive Director Ashley McCarty. “Missouri farmers and ranchers work diligently to care for land and livestock and invest in their communities, the Drive to Feed Kids is an extension of that stewardship.”

The Missouri Farmers Care Foundation invites companies and individuals to join in the Drive to Feed Kids. To partner with MFCF, contact Ashley McCarty at ashley@mofarmerscare.com. Drive sponsorship details and a giving link can be found at mofarmerscare.com/drive. All proceeds will be directed to Feeding Missouri network food banks who work daily to alleviate hunger.