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Foodbank receives bushfire grant

Foodbank Australia has been announced as a 2020 CommBank Bushfire Recovery Grant recipient.

The organisation is Australia’s largest food relief organisation, providing food relief to more than 2,400 charities and 2,500 schools nationwide.
Armed with the $100,000 CommBank Bushfire Recovery Grant, Foodbank Australia is supporting the bushfire recovery efforts in affected areas across the country through the provision of food and grocery supplies and investing in local communities.
Foodbank will be spending the grant over the next six months by investing in local producers who support jobs in the areas worst hit. These areas include towns such as Bega (NSW), Elizabeth (SA) and Shepparton (VIC). Foodbank has identified nine sourcing opportunities that will allow investment to be placed in these areas, whilst also generating much-needed product for onward distribution to its charity partners.
“Foodbank was been activated by both State and Federal disaster recovery agencies in January and has been working in conjunction with the Red Cross and other frontline charities to ensure those affected have access to food, water, and toiletries amongst other items. We have seen a sharp spike in demand across the areas where the fires were worst, alongside increased requirements where people have been moved to temporary housing arrangements,” said Ian Laing, general manager, Partnerships, Foodbank Australia.
“Through our partnerships with the food sector, in particular with farmers and primary producers, we are increasing our regional sourcing to protect and grow jobs. Through our Key Staples Program we are also sourcing items such as cereal, soup, pasta, canned fish, meat, cheese, milk and canned vegetables from communities in the affected areas.”

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