Drive away hunger tour launches

Grand Falls, New Brunswick, October 11, 2005 – Rene Belanger is taking his message about hunger on the road. Launched today, the Drive Away Hunger tour will roll through several communities in New Brunswick over a period of four days in support of World Food Day.

Belanger, a Farm Credit Canada (FCC) District Manager for New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, will drive a tractor and flatbed trailer full of food donations collected on his winding route from Grand Falls through Woodstock, Fredericton, Sussex and ending in Moncton on October 14. During the tour, Belanger will spend the majority of his days living on the tractor as he picks up food donations from local businesses and community partners in hopes of collecting over 10,000 dollars or pounds of food.

In addition, FCC is donating $25,000 to the Canadian Association of Food Banks that will support the National Food Sharing System (NFSS). The NFSS ensures equitable distribution of food among member food banks across Canada.

“The Drive Away Hunger tour took on a personal mission for me and I knew immediately it was something I wanted to do,” Belanger says. “My father, a local general store owner, would often give extra groceries to those he knew could not afford much. Normally a man of few words, he would say, ‘there is no reason for anyone in this world to be hungry’. As he did, I truly feel I can make an immediate impact to those in our community who are hungry. I want to thank everyone who is supporting me during this tour.”

“I’m very proud of Rene,” Rémi Lemoine, Vice-President, FCC Operations for Atlantic and Eastern Ontario says.  “Our community investments are directed towards organizations that matter to our employees and customers.  Rene’s involvement in this Drive Away Hunger tour is a great example of the caring people that work for FCC and their commitment to making a difference in their community.”

World Food Day is observed on October 16 each year to raise awareness of the world food problem and motivate the public to help address the struggle against hunger, malnutrition and poverty. The first FCC Drive Away Hunger tour took place last year in Ontario and was very successful. In addition to New Brunswick, there is a tour planned in western Canada for communities in central Saskatchewan as well as 20 other FCC activities planned across Canada in recognition of World Food Day.

Operating out of 100 offices located primarily in rural Canada, FCC employees are passionate about the business of agriculture. FCC's healthy portfolio of more than $11 billion and 12 consecutive years of portfolio growth are a reflection of our customers' success.

- 30 -

For more information, please contact:
 
Rene Belanger
Farm Credit Canada (Bilingual)
District Manager
(506) 851-6594
 
Annette Deveau
Farm Credit Canada (Bilingual)
Marketing
(506) 851-6590

Tim Kydd
Farm Credit Canada (English)
Manager External Communication
(306) 780-3486