August 31, 2016 (Ottawa) — This September marks the first annual National Chicken Month in Canada. All month long, Canadians from coast to coast will be celebrating their favourite protein – and the hard-working Canadian chicken farm families that raise it.

It’s no surprise that Canadians love chicken. Not only is it great for your health – with a great mix of lean protein and healthy fats – it’s delicious, versatile, and raised to the highest standards: yours.

But chicken is good for our country’s health, too.

Chicken in Canada is produced under a system called supply management. Under this system, farmers meet often to determine how much chicken consumers in Canada are asking for – and carefully match their production to meet that demand.

Because of this system, consumers and farmers both win: consumers are guaranteed access to their favourite healthy protein, which continues to be the least expensive compared to other meats, and farmers are able to reinvest in their communities with confidence.

“Celebrating National Chicken Month is just one way to celebrate the great chicken that we have been providing to Canadians for decades,” said Dave Janzen, Chair of Chicken Farmers of Canada. “Canadians care deeply about their food, about knowing where it comes from and that what they’re serving to their family and friends is of the highest quality; our farmers and their families are no different.”

With chicken being raised year-round from coast to coast, in every province, Canadians are assured a steady supply of fresh, high-quality chicken. Aside from quality and freshness that is among the best in the world, Canadian chicken farming represents:

• Food Safety You Can Count On: Chicken Farmers of Canada is the first national organization to achieve full federal, provincial and territorial government recognition for our On-Farm Food Safety Assurance Program (OFFSAP).
• An Agriculture Success Story That Doesn’t Need Handouts: Canada’s chicken farmers contribute $5.9 billion to Canada’s GDP, paying out $2 billion in taxes, funding critical infrastructure and services. Chicken farmers also sustain 78,200 jobs throughout the entire chicken supply chain.
• High Animal Care Standards: Canadians expect that farm animals in their country are raised to stringent standards. Canada’s chicken farmers work every day to meet this demand with a national, credible, mandatory, and audited Animal Care Program.

To celebrate Canadian chicken, and Canada’s 2,800 family chicken farms, to enter one of the contests or to find out more about National Chicken Month activities happening throughout the month near you, visit www.chickenfarmers.ca for more information.

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For more information:
Marty Brett, Senior Communications Officer
(613) 566-5926
mbrett@chicken.ca