2 Million kilograms of fresh produce donated to SA families in need!

More than 2 million kilograms of fresh fruit and vegetables, worth more than $12 million, has been distributed free to those in need by Foodbank SA & NT in the last financial year. A record amount that would not have been possible without the partnership between Foodbank SA & NT and the South Australian Produce Market.

The fruit and vegetables have been used by Foodbank SA & NT to provide more than 4 million meals across South Australia and Northern Territory, to support those in need over the last financial year.

Growers and wholesalers at the South Australian Produce Market (SAPM) donate daily, whilst farms and packing sheds located across the state’s horticulture regions send bulk supplies of produce into Foodbank’s warehouse located in the market. These fruit and vegetable donations are then distributed directly to those in need via Foodbank SA’s Food Hubs and a network of 700 welfare agencies, in addition to supporting more than 550 School Programs.

More than 100 horticulture businesses work with Foodbank SA & NT, donating produce either through the market or direct from the farm gate or packing shed. Today, Foodbank distributes fruit and vegetables to more than 150,000 South Australians and Territorians each month – one third being children.

Foodbank SA Chief Executive Officer, Greg Pattinson, said the record result highlighted the benefits of working directly with produce suppliers.

“When we started this partnership some ten years ago, we were receiving 100,000 kilograms as donations per year. Now the annual fruit and vegetable donations has hit 2 million kilograms annually which is amazing. The partnership’s major milestone also highlights the increasing need of families in need.” Mr Pattinson said.

“We have felt the impacts of the cost-of-living crisis, it is impacting so many individuals and families – many that have never experienced the welfare sector before are now turning to Foodbank for support.

“This program has enabled us to provide nutritious meals to some of South Australia’s and Northern Territories most doing it tough.

“It is important that families have balanced and nutritional options, given that around 150,000 South Australians and Territorians would go without each month, if it was not for Foodbank. Getting the right food on the tables of vulnerable South Australians and Territorians, particularly children, is our aim.

This program makes a significant difference to the support we can provide families who are struggling to put food on the table”

According to an independent study into Foodbank’s social return on investment, Foodbank’s food assistance not only addresses people’s immediate nutrition needs but also contributes to improvements in their health, emotional wellbeing, sense of self-worth, social relationships and ultimately overall standard of living.

Combined with the environmental savings of food not going to waste, the benefit to the individual and the broader community that flows from every kilogram of food distributed by Foodbank is valued at $23. The Social Return on investment on the 2 million kilograms equates to more than $46 million impact in the community.

The Foodbank SA & NT partnership with SAPM was an Australian first. SAPM Chief Executive Officer, Angelo Demasi, said “The South Australian Horticultural Industry has generously supported this initiative since inception 13 years ago – donating warehouse facilities on site at the South Australian Produce Market for the operations of Foodbank SA & NT.”

“From the humble beginnings of the partnership where a truck would visit the markets weekly to collect donations of some 100,000 kg a year, through to the partnership we have today, the initiative has grown to provide an essential supply of more than 2M kg per annum of fresh produce to families in need.”

“The South Australian Produce Market noted the milestone highlights the generosity of the South Australian horticultural industry as a whole and looks forward to continuing our relationship with Foodbank SA & NT for many years to come”.