Page 15 - Food&Drink March 2022

Donations can include stock that doesn’t meet industry specifications, is close to expiry or surplus, and we also see many companies make proactive donations as a key plank of their corporate social responsibility commitments.
The food and grocery industry may specialise in supply chains, but we specialise in surprise chains. No two days are alike when it comes to the quantity or variety of supply, but every product is appreciated.
BRINGING PREDICTABILITY TO OUR SURPRISE CHAINS Long before Covid, RATS, PCRs and lockdowns became part of our everyday vernacular, we knew that as generous as our donors were, we would not always have a steady stream of key essentials such as pasta, pasta sauce, eggs or breakfast cereal.
We knew we had to be creative and find another way to ensure we had an ongoing supply, all on a not-for-profit budget. We created the world’s first Collaborative Supply Program.
Supported by the Federal Department of Social Services, the program sees us work with manufacturers and their component suppliers to produce a sustainable source of key staple foods that don’t come in sufficient quantities via normal rescue channels.
Companies like Simplot, Mars, Masterfoods and General Mills work with us and their
“ The introduction of a National Food Waste Tax Incentive would be a game-changer, providing a tax incentive for both the donation of food as well as related services, including freight, packaging, storage, and distribution.”
ingredient suppliers, transport companies, and packaging providers to manufacture in-demand products and ensure we are able to provide essentials such as rice, milk and pasta to those who need it the most, year-round.
SUPPLY CHAIN RESILIENCE
Whilst we pride ourselves in our planning, preparedness, partnerships, and resilience, we are as vulnerable as anyone else when it comes to the fragility of our supply chains in Australia.
Supply chain disruption doesn't only affect commercial supply; it affects Foodbank too. We have seen just how disastrous the knock-on effects of natural disasters can be on our supply chains.
The recent South Australian floods saw both road and rail access from the state into the Northern Territory and Western Australia completely severed.
This had a devastating impact on our ability to get fresh produce and key staples from Foodbank SA to the Foodbank Central Australia Hub in Alice Springs.
We worked closely with state, territory, and federal
governments – as well as industry – on solutions to ensure vital food could be delivered to remote communities across Central Australia.
As always, we worked hard to ensure vulnerable communities were not forgotten during this crisis, just as we do in every crisis.
PROMISING FUTURE
I’m probably the only CEO in the country whose ultimate KPI is to do myself out of a job! At Foodbank, we strive to achieve zero hunger in Australia, but we’ve got some work to do as a country for us to get there.
There are some relatively simple – but hugely impactful
– initiatives that could not only increase food relief volumes, but also reduce food loss and waste.
The introduction of a National Food Waste Tax Incentive would be a game-changer, providing a tax incentive for both the donation of food as well as related services, including freight, packaging, storage,
and distribution.
It would further incentivise
the reduction of food waste in Australia, stimulate regional economies and reward those who donate rather than dump
perfectly edible food.
We also need to work together
to better understand why hunger is happening in Australia and how to ensure safe, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food relief is available to everyone who needs it, when they need it the most.
We are so proud of the role we play in helping vulnerable Australians, and so grateful for the invaluable support we receive to enable us to do this.
Our experience with natural disasters tells us it will be a long road to recovery, but we must not forget the new perspective we have gained through this pandemic.
The circumstances that put people into food insecurity before the virus will still be with us and food relief will remain a critically important part of the solution. ✷
✷ ABOUTTHEAUTHOR
BY ASSOCIATION
Brianna Casey is CEO of Foodbank Australia, the country’s largest hunger relief organisation. Her career
in social policy and advocacy
has spanned agripolitics, sustainability, and early childhood education.
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