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Most Australians express surprise and disbelief when told that more than 2 million people – half of whom are children – in urban and rural communities across the country experience hunger at some time each year.
Today Victorian State Minister for Agriculture and Food Security, Peter Walsh, hosted a function at Foodbank’s Victorian Distribution Centre to acknowledge the support of six of Australia’s leading dairy companies which are aware of this shocking statistic and are determined to do something about it.
For the past two years these companies, in collaboration with the Federal Government, packaging companies and other corporate supporters, have donated over 3.5m litres of fresh and UHT milk to Foodbank. This milk has been distributed to 2,500 charities and community groups to help feed struggling Australians.
Minister Walsh said “The dairy industry makes a significant contribution to Victoria’s economy, and competition between dairy companies is very strong. It is terrific to see six companies put business interests aside and work together on a project like Foodbank to help ensure our most vulnerable don’t miss out on the nutrition benefits that dairy products provide.”
Foodbank Australia CEO, John Webster said “Foodbank collects and distributes 25,000 tonnes of food, enough for 32 million meals each year. Milk and dairy products are highly valued because they are healthy, nutrient dense and versatile foods.”
According to Webster, many assume hunger is an urban issue but 35% of the food donated or rescued by Foodbank is distributed to rural and regional locations.
Judy Gleeson co-ordinates the food relief program in the small rural community of Neerim South 110 km east of Melbourne. She said “Our town of 1,500 people is a vibrant and bustling dairy community and yet many families are struggling. Our small team packs and distributes food parcels to over 100 families in the area.”
Dairy companies collaborating in this program include Bega Cheese, Fonterra Australia, Lion, Parmalat Australia, Murray Goulburn and Warrnambool Cheese & Butter. Other stakeholders include the Australian Government, Brickwood Holdings, the Flight Centre Foundation, the Gardiner Foundation, Labelmakers, Tetra Pak and Visy.
David Lord CEO of Warrnambool Cheese & Butter said “Our Company is proud of its rural heritage. While building global relationships and being a progressive food business, WCB has also continued to maintain a culture that values working together to build strong ties with the local community. Our participation in the Foodbank collaborative milk supply program is part of that ongoing local commitment”.
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Media Contact
Print quality photographs of the function are available on request.
The following series of local regional stores are available: Tatura, Darnum, Cobden, Morwell, Bendigo, Leongatha, Kiewa and Warrnambool in Victoria and Brisbane, Queensland.
For more information contact:
Natasha Carroll
Foodbank Media Relations
Red Agency
Ph: 02 9963 7725
Mob: 0412 765 672
natasha.carroll@redagency.com.au
