Now recruiting corporate riders to fight hunger

29 October 2018

 
The Hunger Ride, Foodbank’s 1-day corporate cycling challenge in North East Victoria, will return from Friday 15 – Sunday 17 March 2019 with Major Sponsor JAZZ™ Apple.

Foodbank Victoria is now seeking corporate CEOs and professionals with a love of cycling to join the event, which raises funds to tackle food insecurity – a crisis affecting 1 in 5 Australians.

“Demand for food relief is increasing in Victoria and right across the nation. We and our charity partners are struggling to keep up and it’s vitally important we have the food available to support the most vulnerable in our community,” said Foodbank Victoria CEO Dave McNamara.

“The Hunger Ride is a great opportunity for companies to enter a corporate team and support our work fighting hunger and food insecurity.”

Montague, one of the largest family-run fruit growing businesses in Australia, is sponsoring the 2019 event through its premium apple brand, JAZZ™ Apple.

“Montague has been a long-time supporter of Foodbank’s work and The Hunger Ride presents a great opportunity to extend that support,” said Managing Director Ray Montague.

“Millions of Aussie apple lovers have embraced the great taste of JAZZ™, including through Foodbank’s work in the community and in schools, and we’ll make sure all the teams taking part in The Hunger Ride can re-energise with a JAZZ™ Apple and be at their best for what I’ve heard is a pretty gruelling ride!”

Team JAZZ™ Apple has already secured one of 10 team spots in the ride, which is delivered by peak cycling body Cycling Victoria. The 172km route departs Beechworth and takes in challenging climbs including Mt Buffalo and Mt Stanley.

Tour de France Green Jersey winner, Baden Cooke, will return as Ride Ambassador in 2019 and also host training events in the lead-up.

“Having grown up in Benalla the hills around Beechworth are some of my favourite riding country. The scenery is absolutely stunning,” he said.

“The first ride was a lot of fun and I’m hoping the 2019 teams can smash it out on the road and really rise to the fundraising challenge too and support the amazing work of Foodbank.”

The inaugural Hunger Ride was held in March 2018 and raised more than $60,000 – enough to provide 120,000 meals to vulnerable Victorians. Teams included SkyBus, Peters Ice Cream, Danone, Port of Melbourne, Prestige Foods and C.T. Freight.

For more information or to enquire about entering a team, visit www.thehungerride.com.au

You can download a promotional video and high resolution photos of the 2018 event and shots of Hunger Ride Ambassador Baden Cooke, Montague Managing Director Ray Montague and Foodbank Victoria Commercial Partnerships Manager Chris Scott at the Montague Narre Warren orchard here.

MEDIA ENQUIRIES

Kimberley Nichols, Foodbank Victoria: 03 9362 8309
Alexa Viani, Foodbank Victoria: 03 9362 8333