Following an encouraging year of support for the Winnipeg-based Canadian Foodgrains Bank, Monsanto Canada today announced it will once again provide up to $100,000 of agricultural inputs to Canadian Foodgrains Bank community growing projects in 2002.

As was the case in 2001, Monsanto Canada's 2002 donation will be provided in the form of no-fee Roundup Ready technology, Roundup and other Monsanto products to the more than 200 local growing projects across Western Canada and in Ontario.

The contribution makes Monsanto Canada one of the largest agri-business supporters of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank - an organization recognized for its dedication to providing food aid and development assistance to hungry people around the world.

Monsanto has supported the Canadian Foodgrains Bank program for the past five years at the community level but formalized its commitment across the company in 2001 to facilitate and encourage greater support for local growing projects. Last year, Monsanto was pleased to provide over $92,000 of support to community projects, helping local volunteers pass along a larger donation to those in need.

"This is just a great program to be associated with and we're honored to be given the opportunity to play a small role in the work that is being done in rural communities across the country," said Trish Jordan, manager of public and industry affairs with Monsanto Canada. "The Foodgrains Bank has an impressive record of improving food security in the developing world and supporting the work of resource poor farmers. Our employees are proud to support Foodgrains Bank programs in their local community and we're just glad to be able to help out where we can."

When harvested, crops grown on community growing projects are donated to the Canadian Foodgrains Bank to be used in its food programming activities overseas. Last year, proceeds from community growing projects across the country helped the Canadian Foodgrains Bank provide more than 44,000 tonnes of food assistance to hungry people in more than 22 countries.