Foodbank 2011 Awards

Foodbank is a significant part of most relief agencies in this country, without the food from this invaluable source there would be many in a community doing it even tougher than they already are.

Foodbank can only function if it is also then supported by the food industry. Many food businesses use Foodbank as a way of sending food that cannot be sold to a good use, and therefore significantly reducing their waste. Some product is also made for Foodbank at reduced prices, or even no cost, by manufacturers.

At the recent Australian Food and Grocery Council’s (AFGC) Annual Industry Leaders’ Gala Dinner, Foodbank presented four awards to recognise the contribution that food business have made to it’s operations throughout 2011.

The Foodbank Leadership Award went to the Australian Dairy Industry for the initiative to provide one million litres of milk to Foodbank for the year. This is the first time that an award has gone to a whole segment of the food industry.

The Collaboration Award was presented to SPC Ardmona for it’s contribution of fruit and vegetables and being a “pivotal partner’. It is recognition of the product provided being part of the staple food being used to provide balanced meals.

The Innovation Award was given to Patties Foods for producing 138 000 pies for Foodbank.

The Partnership Award was given to Lotterywest for the incredible donation of $4 275 000 for the new central warehouse facility in Western Australian, as well as the $700 000 support for the warehouse in the Kalgoorlie – Boulder area.

“It’s always a difficult decision to single out winners but this year it was even tougher when all of our industry partners have risen to the challenge of escalating demand from welfare agencies in the face of economic woes and a series of natural disasters.” Said Enzo Allara, the National Chairman of Foodbank Australia.