Fighting hunger, feeding futures

Missouri Farmers Care, agricultural leaders and partners—including MFA Incorporated—collaborated for the 2025 Drive to Feed Kids, which culminated Saturday, Aug. 16, at the Missouri State Fair. In total, resources for some 720,000 meals were raised in the year-long campaign.

With food insecurity affecting one in five Missouri children, the Drive to Feed Kids brings together agriculture and community partners to help change that reality. Since its launch nine years ago, the initiative has provided more than 13.7 million meals to children and families across Missouri. Donations are distributed through Feeding Missouri, representing the state’s six regional food banks.

“Farmers and ranchers dedicate their lives to feeding people, and the Drive to Feed Kids bridges the gap so that commitment reaches Missouri families who need it most,” said Ashley McCarty, executive director of the Missouri Farmers Care Foundation. “Hunger shouldn’t stand in the way of a child’s future.”

During Missouri FFA’s Day of Service on Aug. 12 at the State Fair, members packed 177,000 family meals and donated fresh produce grown for student projects. Fairgoers also contributed to the effort through $2 Tuesday at the Fair, donating non-
perishable food and funds equivalent to 49,000 meals.

In addition, through the Hogs for Hunger initiative, swine exhibitors and producers committed enough pork to provide 27,500 servings of much-needed protein, which remains the most requested item by Missouri food banks.

This past spring, Missouri 4-H members also raised resources to provide 271,000 meals during the organization’s Feeding Missouri campaign. FFA chapters, 4-H clubs and collegiate groups statewide expanded their local impact by providing 97,000 meals through a matching grant program from the Missouri Farmers Care Foundation.

“Missouri agriculture is about more than crops and livestock—it’s about people,” said Gov. Mike Kehoe, who helped pack meals on the FFA Day of Service. “The Missouri Farmers Care Foundation Drive to Feed Kids makes a difference in the fight against hunger, and Missouri FFA and 4-H members are leading the way. Every meal packed and every food item donated is proof that the next generation isn’t waiting to make a difference—they’re making it happen today.”

Image caption: As part of Missouri Farmers Care’s 2025 Drive to Feed Kids, FFA members joined agricultural leaders and elected officials to pack 177,000 meals for food-insecure families during the “Day of Service” Aug. 12 at the Missouri State Fair.

View more articles from this October/November 2025 Today's Farmer magazine.