McCain donates 24 hours of production

WITH some people struggling to put food on the table, nonprofit Foodbank Australia has teamed up with local frozen food manufacturer McCain Foods to donate meals to those who need it.

The initiative saw almost 100,000 meals packaged from the business’ Wendouree-based prepared dinner factory, during which its entire production line was wholly dedicated to the endeavour for 24 hours.

The effort began at 6am on Tuesday morning, and McCain Foods’ supply chain director for Australia and New Zealand, Ross Fallon, said it was important to help people struggling.

“Food insecurity is a really big challenge and it’s growing every day,” he said. “We wanted to find a way to be proactive in supporting the community.

“This is a first for McCain where we’ve been able to proactively support the major charity of Foodbank.

“The ongoing relationship will continue. Whether it takes the exact same shape and form as this, I’m not sure, but going forward McCain will definitely be supporting in the years to come.”

With about 100 staff working across three shifts, the packaged meals of meatballs and vegetables, and a creamy carbonara, were together valued at more than $700,000.

Foodbank Victoria CEO Dave McNamara said he hoped to see other food manufacturers take note of the initiative.

“This is a demonstration by a really great company to show how easy it is to help,” he said.

“I would say at least 25 per cent of [the food] will stay in Victoria, and obviously we’ve got a heavy focus in Ballarat.”