With the help of corn growers and FFA members, a northwest Missouri ethanol plant helped provide 2,600 meals for hungry families in the Kansas City area last week.
Mid-Missouri Energy, a farmer-owned ethanol plant near Malta Bend, Mo., donated a plot of land to grow sweet corn for the hungry. Members of the Missouri Corn Growers Association (MCGA) and Malta Bend FFA did the harvesting and the result was 3,366 pounds of sweet corn for Missouri families in need, which was distributed through Harvesters Community Food Network in Kansas City, Mo.
“While sweet corn isn’t something we normally plant in these fields, we realize there are people in our community and in the city facing tough times,” said Billy Thiel, MCGA board member and corn grower from Marshall, Mo. “This sweet corn is one way Missouri corn growers can show that we care about our neighbors and that we are committed to feeding and fueling a growing population.”
During a presentation at the ethanol plant, Mid-Missouri Energy President Ryland Utlaut thanked the Malta Bend FFA Chapter for their help in harvesting the crop. The event helped to educate the media and the general public about the importance of corn and ethanol to the Missouri economy, and the difference between sweet corn and field corn grown in the state.
The donated fresh produce will be distributed through Harvesters vast network, resulting in nearly 2,600 meals for hungry families. Serving a 26-county area of northwestern Missouri and northeastern Kansas, Harvesters provides food and related household products to more than 620 not-for-profit agencies including emergency food pantries, soup kitchens and homeless shelters.