The Hon Christopher Pyne MP
Parliamentary Secretary to the
Minister for Health and Ageing
PYNE APPLAUDS INDUSTRY FOR TACKLING HUNGER THOUGH FOODBANK
10 July 2006
The Australian food industry was to be congratulated for donating a record 9 million kilograms of food to the hunger relief charity, Foodbank, in 2005-06, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and Ageing, Christopher Pyne, said today.
Speaking at the opening of the 39th annual Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology Convention in
‘Midwinter is a difficult time for welfare agencies to keep up with feeding the hungry,” Mr Pyne said. “Foodbank, which is the largest hunger-relief charity in
‘In the last 12 months Foodbank has distributed 9 million kilograms of food to over 1500 welfare agencies, providing food for 12 million meals. The food is donated by 25 national companies and 500 smaller ones and often comes from dedicated production runs by the food companies for Foodbank.
‘I would strongly urge any food company or retailer, large or small, which is not already donating, to contact Foodbank to see how they can help,’ Mr Pyne concluded.
Foodbank is the “pantry” of welfare agencies and is the philanthropic arm of the Australian Food and Grocery Council and its member organisations. It is a registered charity (donations are tax deductable). More information can be found on its website at http://www.foodbank.org.au/foodbank/foodbank.htm .
Media contacts: Adam Howard, Mr Pyne's Office, 0400 414 833