A million litres of milk for Australians in need

The Foodbank hunger relief organisation, in collaboration with the Australian dairy industry, has launched a new program to provide one million litres of milk annually to Australians in need. This is the first time an entire industry has come together to support Foodbank in its efforts to eliminate hunger in Australia.

At a function held at the Foodbank warehouse in Melbourne, special guest The Hon Jenny Macklin, Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaCHSIA), recognised the partners who have come together to make this ongoing provision possible.

John Webster CEO of Foodbank Australia commented, “In these challenging commercial times, it is great to see such an iconic Australian industry set aside competition to rally together in support of those struggling in the community.”

The partners in the Milk Collaborative Supply Program are Australia’s leading dairy companies: Bega Cheese, Fonterra, Lion, Murray Goulburn, Parmalat, Tatura Milk Industries and Warrnambool Cheese and Butter who will collaboratively donate the one million litres of milk per year. Brickwood Holdings and Labelmakers Group are providing the packaging.

Other program partners are FaHCSIA and the Gardiner Foundation who are funding additional costs such as transportation.

Speaking on behalf of the program partners, Barry Irvin, Executive Chairman of Bega Cheese/Tatura Milk Industries said, “The dairy industry is proud to partner with Foodbank to help combat hunger in Australia. The idea was suggested at a meeting of dairy-industry leaders which had been convened by the Gardiner Foundation. From the outset the dairy companies have been unanimous in their commitment to making healthy and nutritious milk available for all Australians.”

Commenting on the initiative, Jenny Macklin, Minister for FaHCSIA, said, “Milk is one of the key staples much sought after by welfare agencies. It’s fantastic to see Foodbank and the dairy industry working together to make sure that vulnerable Australians are getting this daily staple that many of us take for granted.”

Ian Bedford, Chairperson of UnitingCare Wodonga, commented on how the program will assist Australia’s welfare agencies, “Milk is so nutritious and versatile, it really is essential to being able to provide wholesome and balanced meals. If it’s not available via Foodbank, the agencies have to spend precious dollars buying it. This is money that we can’t dedicate to our other critical services. The consistent availability of milk from Foodbank will be a huge plus and we’re grateful to everyone who has made it possible.”

The milk will represent a collective saving of around $2 million to Foodbank’s welfare agencies and will provide 10,000 valuable serves of milk every day of the year.

This initiative forms part of the Collaborative Supply Program, which proactively sources a consistent and sustainable supply of key staples for distribution to the 2500 welfare agencies that rely on Foodbank for food.

Through the program, Foodbank Australia works with the food industry, government and corporate supporters to manufacture core foods such as pasta and pasta sauce, breakfast cereal and canned fruit and vegetables. It facilitates the production, processing, packaging and transport of these products, using ingredients and services which are either donated or provided at minimal cost.

John Webster explains: “While we receive substantial amounts of rescued food from our donors, there is still a significant gap in the amount of staples received and what is needed to feed those relying on food relief. The Collaborative Supply Program helps us to bridge this divide.”

This month, the Australian dairy industry was presented with Foodbank’s annual Leadership Award at the Australian Food & Grocery Council’s Gala Dinner in recognition of the significance of this new project in helping to combat hunger in Australia.