Every little bit helps

Every year Foodbank distributes the equivalent of more than 62 million meals to those in need, but it can’t do this without the support of the Australian food and grocery industry including farmers, wholesalers, manufacturers and retailers.

Donations can include stock that’s out of specification, close to best before, surplus to order requirements or as part of a collaboration between the food manufacturers and their suppliers. Companies also make donations as part of a commitment to social responsibility or a cause-related marketing campaign.

One company that has been doing its bit for the past decade is Fonterra. The company has just resigned its partnership, which sets Fonterra as the exclusive supplier of fresh milk for Foodbank’s Milk Program in Victoria. The milk program distributes donated fresh milk to struggling Australian families and individuals via the help of Foodbank’s network of agencies and charities.

Fonterra currently donates 100,000 litres of Anchor milk and other dairy foods to Foodbank Victoria. In 2016, Fonterra contributed the equivalent of nearly 350,000 meals with a social return value of $4.4 million.

This is fantastic but does not close the gap between the demand and supply for families and individuals in need.

Michael Davidson, Foodbank’s General Manager – National Food, said that this support “will help close the gap between the demand and supply, and therefore the amount of people that we can get this liquid gold to”.

“Every month, 140,000 people in Victoria receive hunger relief from Foodbank supported agencies, but 6000 of these struggling Aussies are turned away from charities due to a shortage of food and resources. Every bit of support we can get will help reduce the number of families and individuals unable to gain access to food relief.”

Fonterra Australia Managing Director René Dedoncker said, “Our relationship with Foodbank is a good example of how food businesses can make a real, tangible difference to the communities in which they operate.

“Milk is one of the key staples much sought after by welfare agencies, and our partnership with Foodbank will help bring the goodness of dairy to vulnerable people. We look forward to continuing this partnership into the future,” concluded Dedoncker.

If you would like to know more about being a financial sponsor, or Foodbank’s Milk Program, contact Foodbank General Manager – National Food Michael Davidson via michael@foodbank.org.au.

For more information about Foodbank, visit www.foodbank.org.au.