For local farmers, feeding people is at the heart of what they do. This summer, the Olmsted-Wabasha County Corn & Soybean Growers put that idea into action by using checkoff funds to donate  nearly 900 pounds of locally sourced beef, pork and poultry products to four food shelves in the area: the Plainview Elgin Area Food Shelf, Zumbro Valley Food Shelf, Wabasha Food Share and the Lake City Food Shelf.  

The donation included hamburger, pork loins and chops; chicken breasts, drumsticks and chicken thighs. The meat was divided among the four food shelves, providing local families with high-quality protein and helping fill an important need in each community. 

Beef, pork and poultry products and Minnesota soybeans go hand in hand. Soybean meal makes up 42% of the meal fed to livestock, and animal agriculture uses nearly 1.7 million tons of Minnesota soybean meal each year. 

For the farmers involved, the donation is about more than simply dropping off food. It is a chance to support the people and communities that are right in their own backyard. 

“As farmers, we’re lucky to be able to provide food for people every day, and we wanted to find a way to help provide for our local communities as well,” said Judy Kahn, treasurer of the Olmsted-Wabasha County Corn & Soybean Growers. “We know there is a need for meat at food shelves throughout the year, and we’re happy to be able to contribute something that can make a difference for these families.” 

The four food shelves serve communities throughout the area and see a consistent need for food each month. Together, they serve about 2,450 people and distribute an estimated 84,475 pounds of food each month. 

At the Lake City Food Shelf alone, more than 1,000 people received assistance in July, with more than 43,000 pounds of food distributed. The Wabasha Food Share serves hundreds of individuals and families each month and distributes between 25,000 and 30,000 pounds of food monthly. The Zumbro Valley Food Shelf serves around 250 to 300 families and individuals each month. 

Meat continues to be an important need for food shelves, making the donation a meaningful way for local farmers to give back. The organization has supported the Plainview Elgin Area Food Shelf in the past and expanded its reach this year to support additional food shelves throughout the area. 

Giving back to the communities they call home is an important part of the county board’s mission. Through their checkoff investments and local efforts, these donations give local farmers an opportunity to come together, support their neighbors and make a difference – all while underscoring agriculture’s impact on Minnesota.   

The Olmsted-Wabasha County Soybean & Corn Growers Association is affiliated with the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, which oversees the investment of soybean checkoff dollars on behalf of approximately 26,000 farmers in Minnesota. The Council is governed by the rules of a federally mandated checkoff program that requires all soybean producers to pay a fee on the soybeans they sell. This money is used to promote, educate and develop market opportunities for soybeans.