Coles, charities make record food donations to struggling Australians
The supermarket giant has provided 18 million kilograms in food donations — equivalent to 35 million meals - to feed Aussie battlers.
NSW
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Putting food on the table is becoming harder for a growing number of Australians experiencing severe hardship as a result of Covid-19.
But getting food where it is needed most was — and still is — the goal of food charities and supermarkets working together in the past year to help feed struggling households.
Coles’ 2021 Sustainability Report revealed the supermarket giant provided 18 million kilograms in food donations — equivalent to 35 million meals — to community partners, SecondBite and Foodbank, to feed Australians facing tough times.
The food donations were distributed by agencies across Australia, including Addi Road Emergency Food Relief Hub in Sydney.
Together with customers, team members and suppliers, Coles contributed $143 million in support of the community during the year.
Addi Road ambassador and former Socceroo Craig Foster said Addi Road was more than just food relief for those in need, it was a community network.
Other achievements in the report include 80.6 per cent of solid waste diverted from landfill, compared with 76.7 per cent in the previous year, and no more giveaways of plastic or recycled plastic collectible toys (more below).
“By working better together with SecondBite and Foodbank, we were able to provide unprecedented food donations from our stores and distribution centres and have them redistributed to food charities across Australia,” Coles chief executive Steven Cain said.
“Not only did this help feed vulnerable people facing hardship but importantly it also helped to reduce food waste.”
SecondBite co-founder Simone Carson said the donations were vital.
“The past 12 months have been especially hard for communities across Australia impacted by Covid-19 and still recovering from bushfires,” she said.
“We would not have been able to respond to those in need without the 16.7 million kilograms of fresh produce donated by Coles. We are proud that together we’ve rescued and distributed the equivalent of more than 151 million meals to those doing it tough in our communities.”
Foodbank chief executive Brianna Casey said: “We believe everyone should have access to essential food, especially in times of hardship. Food relief, delivered with dignity and at scale, is crucial in achieving this outcome.”
TOP STORES FOR FOOD DONATIONS (July 2020 - June 2021)
NSW
Alexandria
Winmalee
Parramatta Entrada
Casula
Lake Haven
QLD
Loganholme
Nambour
Springwood
Caloundra
Sippy Downs
VIC
Warragul
Bendigo
Wodonga
Morwell
Southland
SA
Greenacres
Churchill Centre
St Agnes
Mount Barker
Noarlunga
TAS
Glenorchy
Devonport
Mowbray
Eastlands
Ulverstone
NT
Casuarina
Palmerston
Casuarina
Darwin CBD
Oasis
WA
Alkimos Trinity Village
Mirrabooka
Carousel
Swan View
Kwinana
ACT
Belconnen
Jamison
Kaleen
Gungahlin
Canberra Civic
Originally published as Coles, charities make record food donations to struggling Australians
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