Initial discussion occurred in December 2010 between Julie Greig, Uniting Church Rural Chaplain, Lou Revelant, Department of Primary Industries and Penny Davies, Community Development Officer Carrathool Shire Council, around the issue of surplus and out of specification produce which is typically wasted or ploughed back into the ground, and the evident need throughout Australia for hunger relief. From those discussions it was decided to see if we could use the one to meet the needs of the other.

After discussions with a number of charities it became obvious that with the quantities of food being proposed, it would need a bigger organisation to receive the fruit and vegetables. Most growers are not interested in sending less than 800kg of produce at a time and many like to send bigger quantities, up to 10 tonnes. The group was referred to Foodbank NSW who were very keen to be involved. Foodbank acts as a conduit between the food and grocery  industry’s donations and the Welfare Sector’s needs and have a large warehouse at Wetherill Park in Sydney.

 

It was also obvious that there would need to be local coordination and so a local semi-retired couple were approached to work with producers and Foodbank to ensure the smooth transfer of produce.

A meeting took place at Foodbank’s Warehouse in late March and Gerry Andersen, CEO Foodbank, was invited to visit the Carrathool Shire and have discussions with producers, Council and other community members. This occurred on the last weekend in April 2011. At a public meeting and dinner a committee was formed.

A successful application was made to UnitingCare’s 2% Development Grant and the money was used, among other things, on media and public relations. This proved to be very successful with an enormous amount of media around the project which has seen interest grow across regional NSW.

A Sydney launch and media event was held at Foodbank’s warehouse on 23rd June to coincide with the delivery of some of the first fruit of the project.

The concept of community projects and reaching producers in the Riverina was wholeheartedly embraced by Foodbank and in August 2011 they appointed a part time Riverina Coordinator, Lou Revelant, to help encourage more produce being sent to Sydney.

Following requests from Carrathool Shire producers of grain and livestock, systems were put in place in late 2011 to allow these to be donated directly from silos and sale yards.

Following the successful start to the Carrathool Shire project the committee was keen to encourage other communities to start similar projects and discussions commenced with neighbouring and regional communities from September 2011.