Australian Mangoes joins with FoodBank to help feed the hungry

SWAPPING the tractor for a photo shoot, North Queensland farmers are posing up for a glamorous calendar to help make sure no one goes hungry this Christmas.

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SWAPPING the tractor for a photo shoot, North Queensland farmers are posing up for a glamorous calendar to help make sure no one goes hungry this Christmas.

Affectionately coined ‘the Northern Fruit Bowl’, Queenslanders are spoiled for choice with a bounty of delicious fruit during the festive season but knowing all too well many families are forced to go without, Australian Mangoes has joined Food Bank to launch a special calendar to bring home the importance of giving to those in need this holiday season.

Alfio Pappalardo from Marathon Man Go farm. Picture: SUPPLIED.

For Burdekin mango farmer Alfio Pappalardo, the chance to show off his juicy produce and give back to those in need was all it took to swap his stubbies and thongs for a glamorous orchard photo shoot.

“This is just a really good opportunity to bring awareness to the good work Food Bank does, as well as the amount of food wastage we see, he said.

“I don’t think as Australians we really appreciate the quality of produce we have so I’d also like to highlight the agriculture sector across the board for their hard work.

“A lot of the time in the big cities people forget where their food actually comes from and we get backpackers that come through that say “wow we can’t believe how much work goes into growing and picking, and packaging the fruit.”

Mr Pappalardo said from the Burdekin region to Mareeba and Atherton Tablelands, North Queensland had the best fruit on offer and the calendar would make sure people knew it.

“We live in the Northern Fruit Bowl,” he said.

“A lot of farmers are really trying to do the best they can to provide consumers with the experience of eating delicious, quality fruit.

“We’ve got a sensational flavour out of our produce, it’s refreshing with some tang and basically the taste of summer wrapped up in a fruit.”

Loretta Bowen from Sandy Cove Mango Plantation. Picture: SUPPLIED.

The Australian Mangoes calendar marks the start of summer and the peak of the season, with Aussies expected to indulge in close to 200 million mangoes.

Australian Mangoes spokesman Matthew Dwyer said Aussie Mango growers deserve to be celebrated for the effort and hard work they put into growing this amazing fruit we all look forward to each summer.

“Much like the fashion world, Australian Mangoes are the season’s must-have accessory,” Mr Dwyer said.

“Our hope is that the calendar will highlight the great people who work tirelessly to produce our favourite summer treat.

“Aussies are encouraged to buy the charity calendar just in time for Christmas by visiting the Foodbank website where proceeds go to supporting their great cause.”

To purchase, visit www.foodbank.org.au

Originally published as Australian Mangoes joins with FoodBank to help feed the hungry