Despite hard times on the farm, three Minnesota commodity groups today announced a donation of more than $115,000 in pork and dairy products to Hunger Solutions Minnesota, a relief organization that will distribute the products to food shelves across the state.

The Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, Minnesota Pork Board and Minnesota Milk Producers Association will buy about 85,000 pounds of surplus pork and 36,000 pounds of surplus cheese for the donation with funds from their marketing check off programs, leaders of the organizations said during a Capitol press conference with Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

The gift will increase the food shelves’ supplies by about 10 percent, said Hunger Solutions director Colleen Moriarty. She said the first shipment of cheese alone would feed about 100,000 needy families.

Pioneer Press