Frozen meal factory fights food insecurity

ALL frozen food produced at the McCain factory in Wendouree over a twenty-four-hour period last week has been donated to Foodbank to help fight food insecurity.

The charity has received 106,800 meals and 162,000 bags of peas worth a total of $1 million, with a large portion directed to Ballarat’s Community Food Centre.

One-hundred-and-eighteen workers on the factory floor contributed to the donation drive over 24 hours, producing 60,800 chicken kiev and 46,000 tuna mornay meals.

“With more than one in three Australian families unable to afford the food they need, we’re beyond grateful to have McCain donate their people and time for a second year running to help these families

out,” said Foodbank Victoria CEO David McNamara.

“We know that regional communities are particularly dealing with significant cost of living pressures, so the fact that our Ballarat and Morwell Community Food Centres here in Victoria will receive a donation of the meals directly from McCain is awesome.”

Foodbank’s 2024 Hunger Report states 37 per cent of people in regional Victoria are facing food insecurity.

McCain ANZ managing director Lyn Radford said the company is proud to provide relief to locals in need.

“We’ve been in Ballarat for 50 years, employing local talent and partnering with many local suppliers and local growers,” she said.

“Many of our team come from the local region, so it’s very important for us that we’re making a positive difference to this community.

“We’re also grateful to our suppliers, who are donating ingredients and packaging to make this day possible, including Vacupack, Graphic Packaging, Ingham’s, Rinoldi, Opal and many others.”