Illinois Ag Groups Donate 101,000 Pounds of Pork

By Andi Anderson

Illinois farmers and agricultural organizations are helping stock food banks across the state with more than 101,000 pounds of pork as part of an annual effort to fight food insecurity.

The Pork Power: Partnering to Fight Hunger in Illinois campaign brings together the Illinois Pork Producers Association (IPPA), Feeding Illinois, Illinois Corn Growers Association, Illinois Meat Processors Association and Illinois Soybean Association checkoff programs.

Through their end-of-year campaign, the organizations are providing pork to regional food banks while highlighting the role Illinois agriculture can play in helping families facing food insecurity.

Protein is particularly important because it can be one of the more difficult and expensive products for food banks to obtain.

Feeding Illinois match doubles pork purchasing power

Toward the end of each year, IPPA directs funding toward purchases of ground pork for eight regional food banks in Illinois.

For the second consecutive year, Feeding Illinois has matched IPPA's monetary contribution to its member food banks, effectively doubling the amount of ground pork that can be distributed through the 2026 Pork Power program.

Illinois hog farmers can also donate animals directly to Pork Power.

Producer-donated hogs accounted for more than 7,000 pounds of ground pork this year, providing another source of locally raised protein for Illinois families.

"Protein is one of the most requested and hardest-to-source items at food banks, which is what makes the Pork Power program so meaningful," said Deirdre Boone, executive director of Feeding Illinois.

"From the grain farmers who donate at harvest to the hog farmers, local processors, and our seven-member food banks, this program is Illinois agriculture taking care of Illinois families."

Boone said the organizations invested nearly $240,000 last year, with the Feeding Illinois match made possible through the Illinois Farm to Food Bank Program. That effort delivered more than 90,000 pounds of fresh pork statewide.

Pork producers support communities throughout the year

While food donations can receive additional attention during the holiday season, Illinois pork producers say addressing hunger is a year-round responsibility.

The Pork Power program provides producers with an opportunity to make the product they raise available to people who may otherwise struggle to purchase high-quality protein.

"Growing up on a hog farm and now raising my own family in this industry, I've always known that what we do is about more than raising pigs," said Katie Brown, IPPA president.

"It's about caring for our neighbors and the communities we call home."

Brown said Pork Power allows producers to share the food they raise with Illinois families who need it.

"I'm proud to be part of an industry that doesn't just talk about feeding people but puts that commitment into action," she said.

Illinois agriculture works together on hunger relief

The program relies on cooperation extending well beyond hog farms.

Commodity organizations, local meat packers and processors, Illinois pig farmers and consumers who purchased Pork Power-themed T-shirts have all contributed to the initiative.

The involvement of multiple agricultural sectors shows how Illinois' farm economy can work collectively to address needs in rural and urban communities.

Central Illinois Foodbank Executive Director Pam Molitoris said meat donations help food banks provide families with more nutritionally balanced options.

"Protein is an important part of a healthy diet, yet it can be one of the more expensive items for families to purchase," Molitoris said.

"Through the Pork Power Program, Illinois Pork Producers are helping make this important source of nutrition more accessible to families across central and southern Illinois."

The more than 101,000 pounds being contributed through this year's campaign builds on Pork Power's continuing effort to connect Illinois agriculture with hunger-relief organizations.

For producers, processors and commodity groups participating in the initiative, the program provides another way for food raised in Illinois to help feed Illinois families.

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