General Mills and Coles have collaborated to support Foodbank Australia. In the month of May, for every packet of Latina Fresh Ricotta and Spinach Agnolotti sold in Coles, General Mills will donate a packet to Foodbank. The campaign builds on its existing monthly supply agreement with the food relief agency.
General Mills has a longstanding relationship with Foodbank, with the manufacturer being one of the first to commit to Foodbank’s Collaborative Supply Program (CSP) in 2020. The program was born out of a need to turn Foodbank’s ‘surprise chain’ into a more stable supply chain. With the increasing demand for food relief and a focus on reducing waste, Foodbank started collaborating with manufacturers and component suppliers to produce a reliable supply of everyday foods.
The CSP sees companies like General Mills, Mars, Rinoldi, SPC, and their suppliers donate their time, products, and services to produce food stuffs for Foodbank.
Latina Fresh Ricotta and Spinach Agnolotti
to Foodbank Australia every month.
Back in 2020, General Mills donated 60 pallets, or around 45,000 meals as well as a $200,000 cash donation as the pandemic saw a significant increase of demand on Foodbank and other food relief agencies. A demand that has only continued climbing.
General Mills then extended the program to include a monthly supply of 10,000 Latina pasta packs. The company also has a volunteer program for its employees to give their time to help pack and sort food for those experiencing food insecurity.
This initiative with Coles is an extension of its CSP agreement. Every month, General Mills donates production time and labour at its Rooty Hill manufacturing plant to make the agnolotti packs for Foodbank every month, with its suppliers support by donating raw materials and packaging.
General Mills marketing director – Australia and New Zealand, Surini Perera, said, “We’re proud to continue working with organisations like Foodbank, especially at a time when so many households are feeling the pinch.
“Through this remarkable program, we will have donated nearly half a million meals to people in need by 1 June 2024, and we will continue to do everything we can to help fight food insecurity in the coming months and beyond.”
Foodbank Australia CEO, Brianna Casey, said the organisation was very appreciative of the support.
“We’re so grateful to General Mills for donating its delicious Latina Fresh pasta, a meal we know is loved by the many households doing it tough right now.
“When a staggering 3.7 million households have struggled to put food on the table in the past year, donations like this are vital to provide families with a fresh, nutritious source of protein,” Casey said.
Perera said General Mills was committed to ensuring its “G stands for Good in the communities we serve”.
