Stephen Thomas was recognized for his significant contributions to the pork industry and community
By Jennifer Jackson
The Ontario Pork Congress (OPC) presented the Pork Industry Leadership Award to Stephen Thomas, an active member of the industry and community, on Oct. 17.
Thomas has been involved in the swine industry his whole life.
“I’m deeply honored and shocked,” says Thomas in regard to his award. “There are a lot of people in the industry I look up to; I’d like to thank everyone that nominated me.”
This award is presented to “an individual who has given freely of his/her time and provided distinguished service to the Ontario Pork Industry,” according to the OPC.
Thomas is not one to sit on the sidelines of the industry; he is active on numerous boards and committees, including the Ontario Pork Industry Council (OPIC) and the OPC, not to mention his notable volunteer work.
“I’m very passionate about the industry; I enjoy the people and their passion plus forward thinking,” says Thomas.
Thomas helped create the Friends of the Foodbank program after working in food banks. He says he had “nightmares about Kraft Dinner and pasta; where does the protein come from?”
Stephen Thomas, right, receives his award from outgoing OPC president Blair Cressman.
Photo: OPC
Learning that food banks get eggs and milk from the associated boards, he saw there was still a large void — one that the pork industry could fill.
The Friends of the Foodbank committee has supplied the Ontario Association of Food Banks with 333,000 servings of “good fresh, nutritious ground meat, from healthy Ontario grown pork,” since starting in 2013.
“There are enough people out there that want to shut the industry down,” says Thomas. “This is a way of showing the Ontario hog industry cares about its community.”
With industry donations, the program purchases the meat from local processors at market value.
Thomas urges feed mills, equipment dealerships, and other industry members to help fund the program and show the good will of the Ontario pork industry.
The Ontario Pork Producers’ Marketing Board, OPIC, and provincial producers have been very supportive of the program, according to Thomas. He notes that Ontario Pork currently matches industry donations. In regard to the Friends of the Foodbank committee members, Thomas says “We’re lucky to have such a great group.”
Those who wish to donate can email Thomas at thomasst@elanco.com.