Roma Foods, a proudly Australian-owned and operated business with more than 70 years of manufacturing history, has recently donated more than 11 tonnes of Australian-made gluten free products to support Australians experiencing food insecurity.
The donation has the potential to provide more than 55,000 individual serves for families doing it tough.
The donation comes at a time when community need continues to rise. Information provided by Foodbank Victoria indicates that more than 76,000 Victorians currently rely on food assistance every day, compared with approximately 50,000 people per day in 2022.
More than 15 million kilograms of food are distributed annually, yet demand continues to outpace available supply.
For Max Buontempo, managing director of Roma Foods, the decision to assist reflects a belief that Australian businesses have both an opportunity and responsibility to support their communities.
“We know many families are doing it tough, and if we can make even a small difference, then it is something that, as an Australian business, we are proud to do,” said Buontempo.
“We encourage every Australian business, regardless of size, to think about how they can help. Small contributions, multiplied across many businesses, can have an enormous impact on our communities.”
What makes the story particularly unique is that Roma Foods is not a multinational corporation.
The business operates from Carrum Downs in Victoria and remains family-owned, employing a loyal workforce where many team members have contributed more than 10 years of service, with some serving over 30 years.
That culture of loyalty, teamwork and community has become one of the company's defining strengths.
“Everyone on the factory floor understands that behind every carton we pack is a family that could benefit from a helping hand. That's what makes this initiative so rewarding,” said Chris Pompey, production manager at Roma Foods.
For Steve Anderson, national sales and marketing manager, the initiative demonstrates how relationships built throughout Australian industry can create tangible benefits beyond business itself.
“At Roma Foods, partnerships are incredibly important to us. Working with organisations that support Australians in need allows us to turn those relationships into positive outcomes for the people who need support the most,” he added.
The donation also reinforces another important message for Australian consumers, supermarket buyers and the broader food industry.
At a time when imported products continue to dominate many supermarket categories, Roma Food Products brands including Buontempo Pasta and Pasta Roma remain among the few Australian-made gluten free pasta brands available on major supermarket shelves.
Roma Foods believes every purchase of an Australian-made product helps support local manufacturing capability, Australian jobs and businesses that continue to invest in the communities they serve.
Importantly, this donation is not intended to be a one-off gesture. Roma Foods is already exploring opportunities to work alongside suppliers, ingredient partners, packaging providers and logistics businesses to create larger and more sustainable food relief programs in the future.
Discussions have already commenced regarding potential donations of up to 20 tonnes of pasta through collaborative supplier partnerships.
Roma Foods hopes this initiative will encourage manufacturers, suppliers, retailers and service providers throughout Australia to consider how they may contribute.
The company has a long history of supporting charitable and community programs, including donations to food relief organisations such as Foodbank Victoria, FareShare and SecondBite, and sees community support as an important part of its responsibility as an Australian manufacturer.
