Victoria-based food brand Chobani’s Fruit for Good yogurt collaboration with Foodbank has recently come to an end, generating half a million meals for Australians facing food insecurity.
In February Chobani collaborated with Foodbank to create a category-first yogurt with 100 per cent of profits donated to the charity.
Available in Coles, Woolworths and independent retailers, the 170g pot Fruit for Good was a fruit salad flavoured yogurt with a blend of pineapple, strawberry, watermelon and apple.
Across its entire supply chain, Chobani’s suppliers and retail partners supported Fruit for Good, donating either partial or 100 per cent of their profits to increase the initiative’s impact on Foodbank.
Chobani Australia general manager ESG and general counsel Tim Browne said he was thrilled with the initiative’s impact.
“Our long-standing partnership with Foodbank is one we’re extremely proud of. Having already donated the equivalent of more than one million meals through dedicated regular yogurt donations over the last ten years, Fruit for Good was a way of challenging our own norms.
“We created a product we knew our Chobani consumers would love, whilst allowing them to do good simply by doing the weekly grocery shop. The combined impact with our retail and supplier partner contributions was significant, and we’re proud to say together we’re donating the equivalent of 552,000 meals to Foodbank.”
Building on this impact, Fruit for Good reached more than Chobani’s usual consumer set.
“68,000 buyers were new to our Chobani Greek Pot range, meaning we could both maximise the funds raised and amplify the essential work that Foodbank do for our communities through connecting with new consumers,” Browne explained.
“And as we approach one of the most challenging times of year for many families, we’re already hearing heartbreaking stories of how food insecurity is impacting Aussie families. We hope that initiatives like Fruit for Good will encourage other brands to consider how they can make an impact so we can rally in our fight against food insecurity.”
And as the Victorian flood crisis plays out across Victoria, Foodbank Victoria CEO Dave McNamara says the demand for Foodbank’s food relief couldn’t be more in need.
“The demand for food has never been higher. Increased costs of living and floods have devastated entire communities in northwest Victoria and central NSW. We haven’t had a ‘normal’ disaster-free year for some time with devastating and persistent flooding across these states putting more pressure onto these communities,” he said.
“Together, we’re channelling resources into these areas to get healthy and nutritious food to families where and when they need it. Initiatives like Fruit for Good enable the work of charities like ours, and it’s these vital funds that are so important to us during times of crisis.”
Foodbank’s tenth annual Hunger Report revealed that natural disasters can be what kicks off the cycle of food insecurity, with 19 per cent saying natural disasters were a reason they couldn’t meet their household’s food needs.
Woolworths Chilled category manager James MacMahon said they were delighted to support Chobani on its quest to make a difference through the power of food
“Having partnered with Foodbank for many years and witnessing the on-shelf power of Chobani with our shoppers, we knew we were backing an initiative with impact. We’re thrilled with the impact of Fruit for Good and are proud of the role we’ve played in its success.”