WINNIPEG, MB – Ted Menzies, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade and to the Minister of International Cooperation, joined the Hon. Vic Toews, President of the Treasury Board, on behalf of the Hon. Josée Verner, Minster of International Cooperation, to announce $100 million in funds over the next five years to the Canadian Foodgrains Bank to reduce hunger and malnutrition in developing countries.

“It is a pleasure to be here to announce this funding for the Canadian Foodgrains Bank,” said Menzies.   “Our government is concerned about the millions of people worldwide who suffer from hunger and malnutrition as a result of conflict, natural disaster and chronic poverty and by supporting the work of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank will help to lay the groundwork for long-term development.”

Canada ’s support to the Canadian Foodgrains Bank will help purchase and distribute food aid to ease the suffering of people in emergency and chronic hunger situations worldwide and help communities rebuild their livelihoods.   Canada and the Canadian Foodgrains Bank have been feeding hungry people, saving lives and bulding livelihoods around the world for twenty-five years.

The Canadian Foodgrains Bank is a Winnipeg-based organization which helps provide food and development assistance to people in need on behalf of 15 Canadian church-based member agencies.   It is Canada’s primary non-governmental organization involved in food aid programming and a recognized centre of expertise in food aid and food security issues.   It has helped provide over 989,000 metric tons of food in 83 countries.

Canada also continues to support the Canadian Foodgrains Bank’s public policy and hunger education programs.