Mayor’s Rural Expo, Food Aid Day team up to help the food bank

Mayor Jim Watson and Michael Maidment, Executive Director of the Ottawa Food Bank, are pleased to co-host this year’s Mayor’s Rural Expo and Food Aid Day on Thursday, June 4 (7 a.m. to 2 p.m.), to celebrate Ottawa’s rural communities and area food producers.

All proceeds from the day will go to the Ottawa Food Bank.

“Having such a vibrant rural community is unique for a major Canadian city, and celebrating that community in the heart of our downtown is a fitting way to celebrate Ottawa’s geographic and cultural diversity,” said Mayor Jim Watson. “I am pleased to celebrate rural Ottawa and to support a great cause at the same time: the Ottawa Food Bank.”

Some highlights of this year’s expo:

 * 
Complementary pancake breakfast (cash donations welcome) from 7 to 9 a.m., supplied by Stanley’s Olde Maple Lane Farm.

 * 
Food Aid barbecue lunch, hosted by The Works, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

A $10-ticket gets you a burger, chips and a drink.

 * 
Performance by country music sensations Jordan McIntosh and Brea Lawrenson.

 * 
Celebrity cow milking competitions at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

 * 
Displays and information about business, festivals and artisans in Ottawa’s rural communities.

“I am pleased how the entire Ottawa community – urban and rural – comes together to help the Ottawa Food Bank,” said Mr. Maidment. “Food Aid, now in its eleventh year, is an important annual event to help us raise funds to support local families.”

Individuals who cannot attend the event but wish to make a $10 donation to the Ottawa Food Bank can do so on their mobile device by texting “BEEF” at 45678. See more details at mobilegiving.ca .

For more information on the Mayor’s Rural Expo, visit ottawa.ca . To learn more about the Ottawa Food Bank, visit ottawafoodbank.ca .