Foodbank distributes record number or meals with help from South Australian Produce Market

Foodbank SA & NT has celebrated record donations of fresh fruit and vegetables with more than 2,000 tonnes, worth more than A$12m donated in the past financial year, a milestone supported by a partnership with the South Australian Produce Market (SAPM). The donated produce was used to provide more than 4m meals across South Australia and Northern Territory, to support those in need.  

Foodbank SA & NT said this record amount would not have been possible without its partnership with the SAPM. 

More than 100 horticulture businesses work with Foodbank SA & NT, donating produce either through the market daily or direct from the farm gate or packing shed. The donations are then distributed directly to those in need via Foodbank SA’s Food Hubs and a network of 700 welfare agencies, in addition to supporting more than 550 school programmes. Today, Foodbank distributes fruit and vegetables to more than 150,000 South Australians and Territorians each month – one third being children. 

Foodbank SA chief executive officer, Greg Pattinson, said the record result highlighted the benefits of working directly with produce suppliers. 

“When we started this partnership some ten years ago, we were receiving 100,000kg as donations per year. Now the annual fruit and vegetable donations has hit 2mkg annually which is amazing. The partnership’s major milestone also highlights the increasing need of families in need,” Pattinson said. 

“We have felt the impacts of the cost-of-living crisis, it is impacting so many individuals and families – many that have never experienced the welfare sector before are now turning to Foodbank for support.” 

Pattinson said the programme has enabled Foodbank SA & NT to provide balanced, nutritional options to around 150,000 South Australians and Territorians. 

“Getting the right food on the tables of vulnerable South Australians and Territorians, particularly children, is our aim,” he said. “This programme makes a significant difference to the support we can provide families who are struggling to put food on the table.” 

The Foodbank SA & NT partnership with SAPM was an Australian first. SAPM chief executive officer, Angelo Demasi, said the milestone highlights the generosity of the South Australian horticultural industry as a whole. 

“The South Australian Horticultural Industry has generously supported this initiative since inception 13 years ago – donating warehouse facilities on site at the South Australian Produce Market for the operations of Foodbank SA & NT,” he said.  

“From the humble beginnings of the partnership where a truck would visit the markets weekly to collect donations of some 100,000kg a year, through to the partnership we have today, the initiative has grown to provide an essential supply of more than 2m kg per annum of fresh produce to families in need. SAPM looks forward to continuing our relationship with Foodbank SA & NT for many years to come.”