TULSA , Okla. — Seaboard Foods donated approximately 17,500 servings of Prairie Fresh pork to northeast Oklahoma charities including Iron Gate, John 3:16 and Sand Springs Home in response to Oklahoma Pork Council’s (OPC) Give-A-Ham challenge on Tuesday, December 12th.
The annual giving campaign challenges pork and food industry colleagues to donate pork to Oklahomans facing food insecurity. Oklahoma Pork Board Past President Angie Johnson challenged Seaboard Foods team member and OPC board member Roy Cansler to participate in the annual campaign.
“We are honored to extend the warmth of the holiday season this year. In the spirit of giving, we are hopeful our donation of Prairie Fresh Pork brings joy and comfort this holiday season to many families across the Tulsa Metro area,” said Peter Brown, Seaboard Foods president and CEO.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Household Food Security in the United States Report, 14.6% of Oklahoma families experience food insecurity.
All 11 Oklahoma Pork Board of Directors will donate hams or other pork products to their local communities and keep the generosity going by tapping friends and colleagues to accept the challenge.
With this 4,300-pound donation today, Seaboard Foods has donated more than 28,00 pounds of pork equal to more than 112,000 servings to Oklahoma communities. The company made a 4,000-pound Prairie Fresh pork donation to the Loaves & Fishes Cupboard, Guymon, Okla., for Thanksgiving. Seaboard Foods operates a pork processing facility in Guymon, Okla., and has farm operations in western and central Oklahoma.
As part of the Give-A-Ham celebration, Seaboard Foods held a free pork lunch block party with OPC on Dec. 11 in Hennessey, Okla., and made a donation to the Hennessey Good Samaritan Ministries food pantry.
“Generosity nourishes the spirit: Seaboard Foods and the Oklahoma Pork Council ‘s donation of pork to the grocery pantry not only feeds bodies but also fuels hope,” said Carrie Henderson, executive director of Iron Gate. “We have seen a 43% increase in the need for groceries over last year. We are grateful to be the recipient of this gift of 1,800 pounds of Prairie Fresh pork spreading nourishment and warmth to our guests — not only has it made this year brighter but serves as a reminder that neighbors care about each other.
Share your pay-it-forward story on social media using #GiveAHam and #OklahomaPork, or by visiting okpork.org/giveaham to commit to giving this holiday season.
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About Oklahoma Pork Council
The Oklahoma Pork Council, a farmer-led organization representing the interests of all Oklahoma pig farmers. Partially funded by federally collected checkoff dollars, the Oklahoma Pork Council promotes pork and pork products, funds research, and educates consumers and producers about the pork industry. For more information about this or any other programs of the Oklahoma Pork Council, visit www.okpork.org or call 405-232-3781.
About Seaboard Foods
As part of a uniquely connected food system, Seaboard Foods relentlessly seeks a better way to produce wholesome Prairie Fresh® pork by purposely connecting every step between its farms and family tables around the world. Operating in five states and employing more than 5,000 employees, Seaboard Foods’ continued commitment to creating the most sought-after pork ensures the well-being of its animals, the environment, employees and the communities they call home. With processing and farm operations in Oklahoma, products sold domestically are marketed under the Prairie Fresh® brand and internationally under the Seaboard Foods® brand.
About Prairie Fresh
Prairie Fresh®, produced by Seaboard Foods, is the brand of a uniquely connected food system relentlessly seeking a better way to produce wholesome pork by purposely connecting every step between its farms in the Midwest and Great Plains and family tables around the world. Prairie Fresh pork is produced, sold and marketed by Seaboard Foods with farms located throughout Oklahoma and a pork processing plant in Guymon, Okla.
For more information, visit prairiefresh.com or follow on Facebook and Instagram @prairiefresh.