Record amount of food donated by Australia’s food industry

A record 19 million kilograms of food and groceries was donated by Australia’s food and grocery industry to people in need over the past year, according to new figures provided to the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC).

Between January and December 2010, food and grocery manufacturers donated more than 71,000 meals a day to families in desperate need - through Foodbank Australia - as well as helping thousands more people affected by the recent floods and cyclones.

The record figures show Foodbank Australia distributed almost 19,400,000 kilograms of food through welfare agencies across Australia which became 26 million meals - the equivalent of about 71,000 meals every day. During the recent Queensland flood and cyclone appeals, industry also donated a total of 1517 pallets worth of food and other essential daily items.

AFGC Chief Executive Kate Carnell said Australia’s biggest manufacturing industry - food and grocery - is a long-term and major supporter of Foodbank, donating and producing food which is passed on to the nation’s leading charities.

“Almost 25% of household food is wasted in Australia every year, costing $5.1 billion. As a result, the food sector is committed to minimising food waste and helping the hungry and those in need by donating large volumes of food and groceries,” Carnell said.

Foodbank CEO John Webster said he was grateful for the ongoing support of each and every one of the organisation’s partners.

“There are nearly 700 companies who donate food and groceries to help the hungry and needy - these organisations often go above and beyond their call of duty in their efforts to support Foodbank and Australians,” Webster said.