Two major Australian meat processors, Thomas Foods International and Fletcher International Exports, have signed on to help hunger relief organisation Foodbank expand its meat program.
Both companies will donate one tonne of 65cl mutton trim to Foodbank each month. Primo Smallgoods will then use this to produce beef and lamb mix sausages for Foodbank which will be distributed around the country.
Foodbank says the donation will see Foodbank’s Meat Program increase from producing 1,400 kilos of fresh sausages each month to over 4,300 kilos, equating to over 800,000 sausages annually.
The meat program now involves the collaboration between the two meat processors, Foodbank’s manufacturing partner Primo Smallgoods, which donates manufacturing time, and the support of Primo’s suppliers, who subsidise the ingredients, and Scott’s Refrigerated Transports Services, which donates the transport to get the sausages to Foodbank’s distribution centres around Australia.
As a result, Foodbank said it will be able to provide a much needed source of meat protein to those doing it tough in the community, with the first delivery of sausages arrived into Foodbank warehouses this week.
Darren Thomas, Chief Executive Officer of Thomas Foods International, said the company is keen to be involved in a program that provides far reaching community benefits.
“We are pleased to partner with Foodbank to help fellow Australians in need,” he said. “As a family owned company with strong family values, this program really struck a chord with us.
“All our staff live and work in local communities, so we want to do what we can to support others less fortunate, particularly in regional and rural areas where people are doing it tough.”
Roger Fletcher, of Fletcher International Exports, said he is proud that his family and staff can work with the industry and Foodbank to be part of the expansion of such a valuable program.
“This is a pleasing addition to our long association with Foodbank in Australia”.
Primo Smallgoods chief operating officer Jim Cleary said: “Primo has always been committed to giving back to the community. This partnership with Foodbank allows us to do that and more importantly, help feed families and individuals with their much-needed protein. Through this, we hope to fight hunger in Australia.”
Foodbank said it is encouraging others to get involved in its Meat Program by donating a pallet (1 tonne) of meat trim to the program.
This donation can be of either beef, mutton or pork and can be a one off donation or be made on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis. One tonne of meat trim will allow Foodbank to produce around 1,300 kilos of sausages, equivalent to 12,000 sausages, which is enough to feed over 1,200 families in need.
Those interested in donatiing trim, livestock, transport and processing or finished product should contact Foodbank's national food programs manager Michael Davidson at michael@foodbank.org.au.
