Woolworths is encouraging its customers to purchase a 50-cent meal token during the Woolworths OzHarvest Christmas Appeal to help OzHarvest feed an Australian in need over Christmas.
This initiative has come to the fore as a result of around five million Australians experiencing food insecurity, with demand for food relief services increasing by more than 20 per cent across the country in the last year.
Recent research shows that at least once a week 30 per cent of food insecure Australians go a whole day without eating.
The appeal’s objective
Through the appeal, and regular donations of fresh produce from Woolworths stores nationally, Woolworths’ fresh food rescue partner OzHarvest aims to deliver meals to more than 1,300 charitable agencies.
“We are out in the community every day rescuing fresh and nutritious food, making a difference to people’s lives,” OzHarvest founder and CEO Ronni Kahn AO said.
“When a struggling family has the chance to come together over a nourishing meal, it gives them the opportunity to reconnect and offers a sense of hope.”
Customers have the opportunity to purchase a 50-cent dinner plate token at the register of any Woolworths store or online until 24 December 2019.
“It’s staggering to consider the number of Australians currently experiencing food insecurity,” Woolworths Supermarkets Managing Director Claire Peters said.
“While Christmas can be a magical time for many of our customers, for those Australians not knowing how they are putting food on the Christmas table it can also be an incredibly daunting time.
“The appeal is so important, and together with our customers we can all play a role in making a difference.”
Appeal raises $2 million in two years
Over the past two years the appeal has raised more than $2 million for OzHarvest, providing four million meals for Australians in need.
This year, the aim is to raise another $1 million to support Australian families at a time that can see increased pressure on household budgets.
Woolworths has partnered with OzHarvest since 2015 to help reduce food waste by providing surplus fresh food from their supermarkets to Aussies who would otherwise go without.
