McCain Foods has dedicated a full day of production at its Ballarat plant to Foodbank Australia, producing and donating more than 81,000 meals to help households experiencing food insecurity.
The 24-hour production drive is part of McCain’s ongoing Collaborative Supply Program with Foodbank, which is now in its third year. McCain will manufacture 81,600 Pub Size BBQ Meatlovers Loaded Parmas, valued at more than $775,000, for distribution through Foodbank’s national network of more than 2000 charities.
According to Foodbank’s Hunger Report 2025, 3.5 million Australian households struggled to put food on the table over the past year, with food insecurity affecting one in three households nationwide and 34 per cent of families in regional Victoria.
McCain Foods ANZ supply chain director, Effie Gorringe, said, “Food insecurity is a reality for far too many Australians, and it hits hardest in the regions. It’s vital that more businesses roll up their sleeves for regional communities. We’re grateful to do just that through our partnership with Foodbank.”
Foodbank Australia CEO, Kylea Tink, said McCain’s contribution would help relieve pressure on families facing hunger.
“Our country produces enough food to feed the population three times over — we shouldn’t have a hunger problem. Partnerships like this are crucial to ensuring no Australians are left behind,” Tink said.
Foodbank Victoria CEO, David McNamara, said demand for food relief in the state remains high, with more than 500,000 households skipping meals and around 400,000 children living in food-insecure homes.
McCain has operated in Ballarat for more than 50 years and remains one of the region’s major employers. Managing director Lyn Radford said the company takes its local role seriously.
“As our Victorian home, we feel a strong responsibility to the wellbeing of the people who live here. This initiative wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of our suppliers, who donated ingredients and packaging,” Radford said.
Participating suppliers included Vacupack, Graphic Packaging, Tegal, and Opal.
The meals produced will be distributed across Ballarat and Foodbank’s national charity network, supporting communities in need ahead of the holiday season.
