Appeal aims to help meet the demand for food relief

Woolworths and FareShare have launched the 2021 Feed Appeal to help meet the 47 per cent increase in demand for food relief in communities across Australia in the past 12 months.

All funds raised in NSW will be distributed to local food relief charities either as grants, or the direct donation of ready-to-eat meals.

Feed Appeal grants enable local charities to purchase equipment like fridges, freezers, ovens and vans, building their capacity to receive, prepare and distribute more food.

This year's funds will also support many local charities with the direct donation of FareShare meals, freshly prepared in one of their two charity kitchens, the largest in Australia.

Woolworths and the Feed Appeal are aiming to raise enough money to create the equivalent of 3 million meals for vulnerable Australians.

Last year's Feed Appeal raised more than $1.5 million, enabling 52 cash grants of up to $50,000 to be provided to food relief charities across all States and Territories of Australia, and this year Southern Shoalhaven can help make a real difference.

Woolworths now donates the equivalent of over 22 million meals in surplus fresh food per year to food relief, and supplies half of the fresh fruits, vegetables and meats donated to FareShare.

Woolworths Ulladulla and Woolworths Vincentia Group Manager Lisa Payne said the appeal was an important one:

"Food insecurity is a very real issue in Australia and the past year has made it even more difficult for those in need," Lisa said.

"We encourage Southern Shoalhaven customers to make a donation to the Feed Appeal the next time they shop with us, by simply rounding up their purchase at the checkout. Just 50 cents means a meal can be placed in the hands of an Aussie in need."

Woolworths has been in partnership with FareShare since 2008 and is the primary fundraising driver of the Feed Appeal.

FareShare CEO Marcus Godinho said the shared mission with Woolworths is to help feed Australians in need.

"FareShare's free nutritious homestyle meals, along with food relief grants to local communities, will provide charities with much-needed resources to fight hunger," Marcus said.

"This year's fundraising will support millions of cooked ready-to-eat FareShare meals going to charities across Australia. Together with the grants, these will have a positive impact on the lives of our most vulnerable people."

Southern Shoalhaven residents can visit https://www.woolworths.com.au/feedappeal to find out more on how to support the 2021 Feed Appeal.