MEAT processors Thomas Foods International and Fletcher International Exports have joined forces in a partnership with Foodbank to help expand the national food charity’s Meat Program.

This innovative program will allow Foodbank to continue to fight hunger in Australia by providing more meat to Australians in need.

Foodbank is Australia’s largest hunger relief organisation, providing food to more than 2400 agencies and distributing 33,000 tonnes of food to the needy each year. More than 30 percent of the food distributed goes to rural and regional areas to support their local communities.

Both Thomas Foods International and Fletcher International Exports will donate one tonne of 65CL trim to Foodbank each month, to be used in the production of mixed lamb/beef sausages.

Primo Smallgoods will use the raw material to produce the sausages for Foodbank, for distribution around the country.

This donation will see Foodbank’s Meat Program increase from producing 1400kg of fresh sausages each month to more than 4300kg, equating to over 800,000 sausages annually.

“This is a wonderful example of a collaboration between two of Australia’s largest meat processors, and Foodbank’s manufacturing partner JBS Primo Smallgoods, who will donate their manufacturing time,” Foodbank chief executive Jason Hincks said.

Assisted by support from Primo’s suppliers, who subsidise the ingredients, and Scott’s Refrigerated Transports Services, who donate the transport to get the sausages to Foodbank’s distribution centres around Australia, Foodbank would be able to provide a much-needed source of meat protein to those doing it tough in the community, Mr Hincks said.

The first delivery of sausages arrived into Foodbank cold storage facilities this week.

Roger Fletcher, from Fletcher International Exports, said he was proud that his family and staff could work with the industry and Foodbank to be part of the expansion of such a valuable charity program. “This is a pleasing addition to our long association with Foodbank in Australia,” he said.

Thomas Foods International’s chief executive Darren Thomas, said his company was keen to be involved in a program that provided such far-reaching community benefits.

“We’re 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.”

Primo Smallgoods chief operating officer Jim Cleary said his company was proud to be involved.

“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.”

Getting involved

Foodbank encourages others in the red meat supply chain to get involved in the charity’s Meat Program, by donating meat trim (beef, mutton or pork) to the program.

Pallet-sized (1 tonne) donations can be made on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis. One tonne of meat trim will allow Foodbank to produce around 1300kg of sausages, equivalent to 12,000 sausages, which is enough to feed over 1200 families in need.

To learn more about Foodbank’s Meat Program and the different ways your meat supply chain business can support this worthy cause (such as donations of trim, livestock, transport and processing or finished product) contact Michael Davidson, National Food Programs Manager.

Michael can be reached at michael@foodbank.org.au or visit the Foodbank Australia website: foodbank.org.au/meat

Foodbank provides a Tax Donation Receipt for all donations.

 

About Foodbank

Foodbank is Australia’s largest food relief organisation, providing 60 million meals a year to people in need. The organisation works with the food and grocery industries to give new life to surplus and donated product. It also collaborates with farmers, manufacturers and government on innovative programs to produce key staple foods such as pasta, breakfast cereals, sauces and meat protein-based items. These combined sources of food and groceries enable Foodbank to supply more than 2800 charities and 1000 schools with the provisions they need to fight hunger in Australia. As a non-for-profit organisation, Foodbank relies on the support of its food industry partners to ensure it can supply food to those in need throughout Australia.

About Thomas Foods International

Established in 1988 in South Australia, TFI is a 100pc Australian privately-owned meat processing company. The family company is a sought after global supplier of the finest Australian lamb, mutton, beef, goat and processed co-products which it sources from farms across the country. The product is processed and packaged at facilities in South Australia, NSW and Queensland with distribution hubs located at Adelaide, Coffs Harbour, Brisbane, Darwin and in the US to service national markets and 85 overseas destinations.

About Fletcher International Exports

Fletcher International Exports is one of Australia’s most integrated processors and exporters of lamb and sheepmeat products. A private, family-owned company, Fletcher International operates two highly efficient processing facilities: one located in Dubbo, NSW; and the other near Albany in Western Australia.

About Primo Smallgoods

Primo has been providing Australian consumers with high quality and delicious smallgoods for over 30 years. From humble beginnings, it has grown to be Australia’s largest producer of hams, bacon and deli meats and has become a household name catering to both the domestic and export markets.