Iconic Australian water brand, Mount Franklin, has formed a partnership with a major supermarket, Coles, to support the food relief organisation, SecondBite.

The initiative aims to provide the equivalent of one million meals to Australians in need

As part of the partnership, Mount Franklin is donating 20 cents to SecondBite from each purchase of specially marked 20x500ml packs sold at Coles stores nationally

Every dollar donated enables SecondBite to provide five meals for people in need. Through the partnership, Mount Franklin and Coles aim to donate the equivalent of one million meals to those who need them most.

The initiative follows research by SecondBite that shows an increasing number of Australians do not have enough food to eat, with 3 in 4 local charities reporting higher demand for food donations from SecondBite.

SecondBite collects unsold, edible food from growers, manufacturers and Coles stores and distributes it to more than 1100 charity partners nationally to feed hungry Aussies in need.

“Access to food and water are basic human needs and it is concerning to hear from SecondBite that so many Australians are currently going without,” said Mount Franklin Marketing Manager Livia De Salvo.

“Giving back to the community to create a more sustainable and equitable future for all Australians is a long-held value of ours and we’re proud to use the power of Mount Franklin to partner with Coles and SecondBite to support those who need it most.”

SecondBite’s mission is to end waste and end hunger by making sure good food gets to people who need it most, rather than to landfills.  The food it rescues is turned into nutritious meals that help vulnerable segments of the community, such as the homeless, refugees and asylum seekers, families in crisis, elderly people, and those on a low income.

Steve Clifford, Chief Executive Officer at SecondBite, shared that the support of Coles and Mount Franklin would have a huge difference on the organisation’s capabilities over the next 12 months.

“The funds raised through the partnership with Mount Franklin and Coles will allow us to ramp up our food collection across the country and ultimately support more people who are struggling to put a meal on the table,” added Clifford.

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Coles has supported SecondBite’s food relief efforts since 2011, and in that time has donated more than 95,000 tonnes of unsold food to the not-for-profit organisation.

“We know it’s a difficult time for some Australians so we encourage shoppers to help raise funds for SecondBite by picking up a specially-marked pack of water at one of our supermarkets across the country,” said Chief Executive Commercial and Express at Coles Leah Weckert.

Australians can get involved and show their support by purchasing a specially-marked pack in-store or online at Coles until 31 March 2023. Donations can also be made directly to SecondBite via its website.