For the fourth consecutive year, Mars Food & Nutrition Australia has committed to help Foodbank Australia, by supplying Dolmio and MasterFoods products and ingredients to make more than three million meals to the food rescue agency.
The partnership began during the height of Covid in 2021, through Foodbank’s Collaborative Supply Program, which establishes a dedicated, regular supply of everyday foods from manufacturers.
Foodbank Australia CEO, Brianna Casey said, “Foodbank works with a ‘surprise chain’ – we rely on ad hoc donations and unpredictable food rescue opportunities, so it’s vital we have programs such as this one that enables us to have consistent and predictable supply of products like Dolmio, which can help people have access to a healthy and tasty meal.”
With one jar of Mars’ Dolmio pasta sauce helping to feed four people, the donation of Dolmio’s Bolognese and Carbonara sauces this year will be enough for nearly one million meals.
The global food company will also supply MasterFoods Beef Stroganoff, Butter Chicken and Honey Soy Garlic recipe bases.
Mars Food & Nutrition Australia GM, Bill Heague, said the company is committed to help tackle growing food insecurity in Australia.
“We believe that the joy of connecting over food should be something that everyone gets to enjoy. However, sadly there are an increasing number of Australian’s who are struggling. This means, at the very least, they are reducing the quality, variety, or desirability of their food and at worst, their eating patterns are disrupted. We know that we need to continue to partner with Foodbank to help,” Heague said.
Casey said, “In the last 12 months, 3.7 million households in Australia experienced food insecurity, a figure that is more than the combined households of Melbourne and Sydney.
“Seventy-seven per cent of the half a million households experiencing food insecurity did so for the first time and 94 per cent of these households tried to manage the cost of living through cutting the spend on their food and groceries.
“This collaboration with Dolmio ensures Foodbank warehouses across the country have a steady supply of sauces for the many households doing it tough.”
Casey added that that the Collaborative Supply Program relies on the entire supply chain.
“This is only possible through the collaboration with supplier partners, including Ingredion, Baker and Co Ingredients, Kikkoman, Visy Glass & Visy Board, and Toll, which donate their ingredients, packaging, or services to support the program.
Heague added, “We are proud of our ongoing partnership with Foodbank and very grateful for our own supplier partners for their ongoing support and contribution, and without whom this program wouldn’t be possible.”
When Mars joined the program in 2021, in supplied 600,000 meals. In 2022, it increased the number to 1.5 million, and last year delivered 3.5 million meals. This year it aims to supply 3.2 million meals through Foodbank to support its registered charities, 17 Food Hubs and Mobile Pantries across Australia.
