McCain Foods is donating up to 20 million pounds of potato products to help food banks during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The New Brunswick-based company says that amounts to 60 million servings of potatoes which will be provided to communities struggling with food insecurity.
“In this time of physical distancing, feelings of community and support are ever more important,” said Max Koeune, president and CEO of McCain Foods, in a statement.
“Our collective goal is to feed real moments of togetherness and these challenging times are no exception. That is why we are working with charitable organizations across Canada to help fight hunger in our country.”
The New Brunswick-based company says it is engaging its subsidiary, Day & Ross, to help get the donations out as quickly as possible.
Chris Hatch, CEO of Food Banks Canada, said the donation could not have come at a better time.
“Because of COVID-19, many local food drives typically held this time of year are cancelled,” said Hatch in a statement. “McCain Food’s significant donation will help replenish the inventory at a time when food donations have drastically decreased.”
Food banks across Canada are encouraged to reach out to their provincial food banks associations and Second Harvest with their requests.