To provide protein to families facing food insecurity, Australian Country Choice (ACC) has partnered with food relief organisation Foodbank Queensland, delivering around 56,000 meals since the start of the pandemic.
Meat is rich source of protein and amino acids for a balanced diet, however it is also one of the first items people stop buying when they experience financial difficulty.
ACC is a national donor to Foodbank, supplying the agency with its surplus product, including items that have been mislabelled or is underweight.
ACC CEO Anthony Lee said more than 30,000 kilograms of meat has been donated by the family-owned cattle and beef company since 2020.
“Our central location, close proximity to Foodbank and unbroken cold chain of custody over everything we produce makes contributing to this vital community program an obvious choice for ACC,” said Lee.
To support individuals needing food relief in Queensland and Brisbane, Foodbank Queensland works with a network of front-line charities, delivering essential food and groceries to them directly.
Foodbank Australia general manager national supply chain Michael Davidson said while meat is an important source of protein for families, it is not a product that the organisation usually receives in significant amounts.
“This is a great example of like-minded organisations in Brisbane’s southeast working together for a good cause to provide much-needed food relief supplies, including protein for the Foodbank network and the local charities to distribute,” said Davidson.
To maintain freshness of the meat, Foodbank must deliver the products quickly. Lee said ACC’s Brisbane food processing facility is just up the road from Foodbank’s Morningside distribution centre, making the two a perfect match.
“When we have the product, the Foodbank team can be here in minutes to collect the donation and make it available to local and regional charities.
To raise awareness for the one in five Queenslanders who face food insecurity every year, Foodbank holds its “Hunger Drive’ campaign every September. ACC’s second year of national support for Foodbank Australia is also marked this month.
