OKLAHOMA CITY – On November 30, which is Giving Tuesday, Oklahoma Pork Council’s Give-A-Ham challenge launched with a 10,000-pound pork product donation from Oklahoma Pork Council Board of Directors President Joe Popplewell and his company, Seaboard Foods, to the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma.
“With farms and a pork processing plant in the Oklahoma Panhandle, we have the opportunity to give back to our communities throughout the great state of Oklahoma,” said Peter Brown, Seaboard Foods president and CEO. “We’re honored in joining the Oklahoma Pork Council in the Give-A-Ham campaign for the holiday season by donating our Prairie Fresh pork products to the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma. We’re hopeful this delicious pork will bring nourishment, comfort and fellowship to those who need it most this holiday season.”
Last year, the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma in Tulsa distributed more than 32 million pounds of food throughout 24 counties.
Jeff Marlow, chief culinary officer for the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, said they understand hunger is a year-round concern, and Oklahoma has so many families facing food insecurity.
“We want to express our sincere thanks to the Oklahoma Pork Council and Seaboard Foods,” Marlow said. “It brings reassurance when we see communities get behind projects like this. No one should go without food any time of year, but especially during the holidays. This campaign couldn’t come at a better time.”
Popplewell said giving back is a cornerstone of what Oklahoma pig farmers do. They find ways to give back to communities with food, time, donations, and more year-round. The holiday season is no different.
“Hunger is a reality one in six Oklahomans face every day,” Popplewell said. “That’s why Seaboard Foods is honored to launch the Oklahoma Pork Council’s 2021 Give-A-Ham challenge in a big way.”
All 12 Oklahoma Pork Council Board of Directors will donate hams to their local communities and keep the generosity going by tapping friends and colleagues to accept the challenge.
In addition to Prairie Fresh product donation, Popplewell also challenged Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt to participate in the Give-A-Ham challenge, which will continue from today until Dec. 23.
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, represents the interests of all Oklahoma pig farmers. Partially funded by federally collected checkoff dollars, okPORK 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 okPORK visit www.okpork.org or call 405.232.3781.
About Prairie Fresh
Prairie Fresh® 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 sold and marketed by Seaboard Foods, and produced and processed by Seaboard Foods, Triumph Foods and Seaboard Triumph Foods.
For more information, visit prairiefresh.com or follow on Facebook and Instagram @prairiefresh.
Media Contacts:
Paige Endres
Oklahoma Pork Council
Marketing and Communications Manager
pendres@okpork.org
David Eaheart, APR
Seaboard Foods
Sr. Director of Communications and Brand Marketing
david.eaheart@seaboardfoods.com