foodpro is supporting farming charity Aussie Helpers, announcing the organisation as its charity partner for 2023 as part of its efforts to fundraise and give back to farming communities as rural regions across the country continue to do it tough.
foodpro product manager, Felicity Parker said Australian farmers were a hugely important part of the food manufacturing supply chain and were the 'feedstock to the industry'.
“Via the partnership with Aussie Helpers, we are looking to raise awareness and funds to support the future of the agricultural sector, which is vital to the operation of food manufacturing in Australia.
“The innovations and machinery showcased at foodpro will improve efficiencies at the plant level, however, factories will not operate without the vital inputs provided by farmers for meat, dairy, grain and so on,” said Parker.
Aussie Helpers CEO, Tash Kocks, said with back-to-back years of La Nina and flooding, and rains finally come to an end, the onslaught of El Nino for farmers would be just as challenging – if not more so.
“Aussie farmers are tough and resilient, they know there’s no such as thing as perfect climate forecast, but a drought during the current economic climate could see many Australian families already struggling with the cost of living—pay even higher prices for their groceries.
“Many Aussies, including farmers, will go without. If property values drop with the drought and farmers are unable to service their loans due to macro-economic conditions—some farmers will be forced off their land, impacting our food security. As farmers are working hard to prepare for El Nino, we’re also preparing by strengthening our services and our relationships with farming communities,” said Kocks.
As one of Australia’s largest farming support charities, Aussie Helpers has provided support directly to farmers for 21 years and created lasting connections with rural communities across Australia. To date they have helped 18,000 farmers, saved 10,000 livestock, organised 210,000 litres of water to be delivered and raised more than $50 million dollars in aid.
“We are extremely pleased that foodpro has chosen us as their charity partner this year and is committed to helping make a difference,” said Kocks.
