Foodbank

Foodbank is the largest supplier of food to charities and community groups across the country. It is a growing enterprise with Food Pantries and Food Canteens (or similar) appearing at an increasing rate throughout Australia. These would struggle without Foodbank, and it would struggle without the support of food businesses and producers.

Some food companies like Goodman Fielder actually make product every day specifically to give to Foodbank, on top of other donations they may make.

Others use Foodbank as a way of reducing waste in their business, by donating safe product that may not be first grade or past it’s best before. The businesses can also list the product given as donations.

Nigella, a famous Australian Chef has a great article on her website about Foodbank, where it’s food comes from and what is done with that food.

Most of the produce at Foodbank is not first grade and much of the fruit and vegetables have blemishes or are misshapen. All are still safe and tasty.

The amount of this second grade produce that goes to Foodbank and other charities is no-where near what is actually grown. Hundreds of tonnes of produce is thrown away in Australia (and in other countries) because it has skin blemishes or is the wrong shape. It is all perfect inside and it is therefore a shame to see it being thrown away.

What is not clear, is whether it is the public that are demanding perfect looking fruit and vegetables or if it is the supermarkets that are setting this wasteful (and often near impossible) standard?

If we can all deliberately buy the fruit and vegetables with the marks and odd shapes, we can all make a difference and can help save money, fuel, energy and water. It is all about being sustainable.