Vinegar has a sweet end

What started as a thought bubble to support local strawberry farmers has turned into a food gift for many people in need across Queensland.

KIND DONATION: Australian Vinegar's Ian Henderson hands the cheque for $5500 to Lorelle Silveira, Head of Fundraising, Foodbank Queensland. Picture: Contributed

WHAT started as a thought bubble to support local strawberry farmers has turned into a food gift for many people in need across Queensland.

Ian Henderson, CEO of Australian Vinegar, became concerned when he saw local strawberry farmers discarding tonnes of strawberries into waste facilities.

He thought he would test his new facilities and see what a fresh strawberry vinegar would taste and look like.

"It was just incredible to see so much waste and I just wanted to see if we could do something about it,” Mr Henderson said.

"We make vinegars all day, every day and it seemed like a good idea to give it a go, but we had to act quickly.”

After approaching Pińata farms to see if they would supply strawberries for the experiment, a strawberry vinegar was produced and around 350 bottles manufactured and sold.

"There had been a plan to produce a lot more but a significant channel to sell the vinegar couldn't be confirmed in time.”

As an exercise in collaboration, several other local businesses got on board to support the scheme.

AA Graphics designed the labels free of charge, Unique Graphic Designs printed the labels for nothing, Brinx Deli and Ballandean Estate sold the product at no commission so 100 per cent of funds would go to Foodbank.

All revenue raised from the sale of the Rescued Strawberry Vinegar has been donated to Foodbank Queensland, with a total donation of $5500 being presented at the Foodbank Queensland facility.

"Foodbank is such a worthy cause,” Mr Henderson said. "It makes sense to convert something that was going to be a waste product, instead be used to generate cash that will help Foodbank Queensland supply around 11,000 meals to those in need.”