Foodbank, Australia’s largest hunger relief organisation, has been awarded the E. E. Muir & Sons Community Stewardship Award at the Hort Connections 2019 National Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner in Melbourne on Wednesday 26 June.

The E.E. Muir & Sons Community Stewardship Award celebrates an individual or business that engages in local or national community initiatives to develop the wider industry, and demonstrates the responsible planning and management of resources.

Through collaboration with the Australian food and grocery industry, which provides surplus and donated products, Foodbank services over 2,600 charities in every state and territory to provide food to 710,000 people each month.

“Foodbank provides an avenue for growers to deal with over-supply, or those who want to help feed hungry families across Australia,” said AUSVEG CEO James Whiteside.

“At times there is over-supply in the Australian vegetable industry. To help overcome this issue, a number of leading vegetable producers team up with Foodbank to deliver fresh produce from paddock to plate to countless families across the country.

“Foodbank regularly engages with industry events to raise awareness of their role and has built strong relationships with a large number of growers and retailers. Their services not only assist those in need, but also provide growers with a noble option for second-grade or surplus produce.

“Foodbank provides a valuable service for the community and is a truly worthy recipient of this community stewardship award.”

The Hort Connections 2019 National Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner honoured growers and other members of the Australian horticulture industry for their outstanding achievements. The dinner was the capstone event of Hort Connections 2019, which drew around 3,500 local and international delegates to the premier event in Australian horticulture.

For official photos of the awards ceremony, please contact the AUSVEG media contact below.

ENDS

MEDIA CONTACT: Shaun Lindhe, AUSVEG National Manager – Communications
Phone: 03 9882 0277, Mobile: 0405 977 789, Email: shaun.lindhe@ausveg.com.au