Woolworths​ ​and​ ​Foodbank:​ ​15​ ​years,​ ​15​ ​million​ ​kilos

​Australia’s largest food relief organisation, Foodbank, and Australia’s largest supermarket, Woolworths today announced a new agreement that will help reduce food waste by securing the ongoing delivery of surplus food to meet the growing need for hunger relief across the country. In the last 15 years, the partnership between the two organisations has seen over 15 million kilos of surplus food rescued and delivered to vulnerable Australians.

The renewed agreement comes at a time when the annual Foodbank Hunger Report revealed that in the last 12 months, 3.6 million Australians, or 15 per cent  of the population, have experienced uncertainty around where their next meal is coming from.

Adrian Cullen, Woolworths Head of Sustainability said; “We know there is a growing need for food support right across the country, with more and more Australians challenged by the rising costs of living.

“Woolworths is committed to reducing food waste and continuing to support the communities in which we operate. This renewed National donor agreement with Foodbank will not only help reduce food waste but improve the timely donation of any surplus, edible food from Woolworths, from right across our supply chain. “The agreement also confirms our commitment to ensure any surplus food from the expanding range of Woolworths branded food products is also donated to Foodbank.”

Brianna Casey, CEO Foodbank Australia said, “Our Foodbank Hunger Report this week exposed how increasing numbers of people are falling into food insecurity simply due to the rising cost of living.

“This ongoing commitment by Woolworths is one way we can ensure food waste is reduced right across the supply chain and ensure those in need do not go without when having to make tough choices about where to spend their money,” she said.

“Woolworths works closely with Foodbank, OzHarvest and other food rescue organisations and has helped divert over 4,015 tonnes of food to these partners in the last year alone. This is equivalent to over 8 million meals being delivered to vulnerable Australians. Brianna Casey added; “By our side for 15 years, Woolworths is the single biggest retailer donor of food and groceries to Foodbank, donating more than 15 million kilograms to date.”