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Chicken Farmers of Ontario (CFO) supports farmers with ongoing education, resources and tools so they can produce the best products possible—products enjoyed by millions of Ontarians every day. 

To deliver that mandate, at CFO, caring for their 50-person staff team is at the heart of everything they do. “Without our people, we wouldn’t be able to support our farmers,” says Krysta Palmer, Senior HR Generalist at CFO. “It’s important for us to make sure they’re healthy and cared for all around.” 

When CFO chose to partner with Bensol for their employee benefits in 2023, they were looking for a benefits solution that matched their strong culture of employee well-being. As a non-profit, cost control and flexibility were key considerations. The Maximum Benefits program from Johnston Group delivered exactly that. Maximum Benefits is a flexible, cost-controlled plan using an Administrative Services Only model, offering customizable coverage, transparent pricing, and health spending accounts. 

“Low administrative costs and greater flexibility in plan design were big factors for us,” Krysta explains. “Plus, the health spending account gives staff the option when they need it to direct their benefits where they are most helpful.” 

The impact has been clear. In annual surveys, employees say they appreciate the plan’s flexibility, faster claims processing and outstanding communication from Maximum Benefits, which has significantly improved their benefits experience. “The service has been phenomenal,” Krysta says. “It’s light years ahead of what we had before.” 

Krysta also credits Bensol for making the transition seamless. “Janet and Michelle stood out from the start,” she notes. “Their attentiveness and responsiveness has been very beneficial and appreciated. When I need a quick answer I’ll reach out to the Bensol team and they always take care of us.” 

For an organization that prides itself on a strong, people-first culture—where some team members have been with CFO for over 30 years—partnering with Bensol and Maximum Benefits was a natural fit. “We care deeply about our employees, and Bensol shares that passion,” says Krysta. “That’s what we were looking for.”