MCC Ontario, Food Bank of Waterloo Region partner to supply canned chicken to families in need

Kim Wilhelm, chief executive officer of The Food Bank of Waterloo Region; Michelle Rickard, manager of marketing and communications; and Nicole Marinelli, manager of food procurement and distribution services, sample the canned chicken that will now be distributed to families in need across Waterloo Region. Amanda Nelson photo

By Amanda Nelson

Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Ontario and The Food Bank of Waterloo Region are launching a new partnership to provide high-quality protein to families experiencing food insecurity in Waterloo Region, where one in nine households access food assistance.

The first shipment of more than 1,000 cans of chicken left the distribution centre at MCC Hub, 65 Heritage Dr., New Hamburg, on Monday, March 9, and travelled to The Food Bank of Waterloo Region to be distributed to local organizations through the Community Food Assistance Network.

The Community Food Assistance Network consists of 61 organizations and more than 120 food assistance programs, including large entities like House of Friendship and smaller churches and community groups, all of which will benefit from the newly established connection.

These agencies offer various food assistance programs such as emergency meal programs, community food cupboards and food hampers throughout Waterloo Region.

Jaime Bickerton, director of agency and partner network relations with The Food Bank of Waterloo Region, says protein – particularly canned chicken – is a highly requested item from local agencies and families.

“Protein is one of the most requested items from participants, individuals and families who are accessing food assistance, and something that is often difficult to source consistently,” she said.

Canned chicken is highly nutritious, easy to store and beneficial for those without access to refrigeration or freezer space. Each can costs approximately $7 to produce, and the facility can produce about 1,000 cans each day using 1,500 pounds of meat. The meat is sourced from a federal processor in Toronto, ensuring it is Canadian and federally inspected.

Though MCC Ontario has been canning meat for 80 years, the system used since the First World War was flawed. Before last year, MCC New Hamburg relied on a mobile cannery that came to a halt due to border restrictions during COVID-19.

Last January, MCC New Hamburg opened the doors of its newly built, in-house cannery and began producing canned chicken by October. Now, the facility produces more than 28,000 cans of nutritious, shelf-stable chicken annually, and the entire operation is run by volunteers.

The warehouse in New Hamburg is the only stationary cannery for MCC in Canada and also supports local economies by prioritizing in-country purchasing.

Until now, the canned chicken has been shipped internationally to community organizations, schools and communities in need in countries such as Malawi and Chad, as well as the Sahel region of the Sahara Desert.

Jon Lebold, MCC New Hamburg material resource coordinator, says he’s excited to now be able to provide local support by offering nutritious canned protein to families in the region.

"We are typically doing a majority of international relief, but we also know that there are needs locally, so we're so excited that we're able to take on this project at the same time we're also working towards our international projects," he said.

The Lyle S. Hallman Foundation has committed $600,000 over three years, enabling MCC Ontario to supply 28,000 cans of chicken annually to support local families in need.