JEFFERSON CITY, MO – On Thursday, January 29, Missouri agricultural leaders joined Governor & First Lady Claudia Kehoe and members of the Missouri House and Senate in the State Capitol to pack 15,000 meals for food insecure Missourians. The event was an element of the year-long Missouri Farmers Care Foundation Drive to Feed Kids, presented in partnership with Brownfield Ag News and ADM. “Drive to Feed Kids is Missouri agriculture putting compassion into action,” said Ashley McCarty, executive director of Missouri Farmers Care Foundation. “Farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses are committed to producing the products we depend on to sustain us while bridging the gap, so every child has the nourishment they need to learn, grow, and thrive.” One in seven children in the state of Missouri are food insecure. Food insecurity in childhood is associated with poor academic performance, developmental delays and chronic illness. Food security is not a rural or urban issue, with childhood hunger affecting every county in the state. The Missouri Farmers Care Foundation Drive to Feed Kids launched in 2017 to build partnerships among nonprofits, farmers and agricultural businesses committed to raising awareness and addressing hunger in Missouri. Over the past ten years, Missouri agriculture has donated more than 13.7 million meals to food insecure Missourians in every county through the Drive. “Claudia and I appreciate the commitment of Missouri Farmers Care and our state’s agriculture leaders in fighting against hunger through the Drive to Feed Kids,” said Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe. “In parts of Missouri, one in three kids face food insecurity, and these meal packing events make a real difference in the lives of Missouri families. Thank you to all the legislators and agriculture partners who joined us to pack meals at the State Capitol.” The Drive creates opportunities for the agriculture community to share how science, stewardship and technology equip them to responsibly produce food for our communities and world. The Drive’s year-long effort includes meal packing, hog processing and activities to collect food and raise resources. One goal of the Drive is to inspire youth and agriculture groups to come together to host events and activities to serve their food insecure neighbors. “When Missouri agriculture comes together with a shared purpose, the impact is powerful. The Drive to Feed Kids shows the heart of Missouri agriculture,” continued McCarty. “Missouri farmers and ranchers work diligently to care for land and livestock while supporting their communities, the Drive to Feed Kids is an extension of that stewardship.” Individuals, organizations and companies interested in joining the Drive to Feed Kids can find details at www.mofarmerscare.com/drive. All donations support the Drive and the work of Feeding Missouri network food banks who work daily to alleviate hunger in every Missouri county and the city of St. Louis. | 