
Red Tractor, ALDI Australia and Foodbank are aiming to put three million breakfasts on the table for Australians facing food insecurity through the return of the Buy One, Give One campaign.
From July 20, every 1.6kg bag of Red Tractor oats purchased as an ALDI Special Buy will trigger the donation of another 1.6kg bag to Foodbank.
AFL’s Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli is also backing the campaign through his Melbourne cafe, Arthur’s Milkbar.
The venue has added two limited-time oat dishes to the menu, with Crème Brûlée Porridge and Savoury Garlic Oats available until August 2. Each bowl purchased will result in another 1.6kg of oats being donated to Foodbank.
“Growing up, brekkie was a big deal in our house. It’s where we made sure we started the day on the right foot as a family,” Bontempelli said.
“When I think about Aussies who aren’t able to do something as simple as have a bowl of oats for brekkie, it really hits home. That’s why I’m getting behind this campaign, it makes it so simple to make a real difference for someone that needs it.
“If you’re heading out to do the groceries over the next two weeks, make sure you head to ALDI and pick up a bag of Red Tractor oats. And if you’re in Melbourne, pop into Arthur’s. I’ve been trying to get Crème Brûlée on the menu for a while so you might spot me down there tucking into a bowl!”
Rising demand
The campaign returns as demand for food relief continues to climb. Recent Foodbank data found 47 per cent of Australians found it harder to put food on the table in June than they did the month before.
Foodbank’s latest annual Hunger Report also found one in three Australian households were unable to afford nutritious food, skipping meals or going entire days without eating.
“As Australia’s largest food relief charity, our partnership with Red Tractor and ALDI is vital, not only in terms of helping us provide nutritious meals to those in need, but also as an enabler for us to raise awareness of the quite astonishing need across the community,” said Foodbank Australia CEO Kylea Tink.
“For many it can be tempting to assume food insecurity is an issue that affects those at the margins of our society. Yet our most recent annual Hunger Report showed one in three households in Australia are either unable to afford nutritious foods, or are skipping meals or entire days of eating.
“In one of the most successful economies in the world, this rate of food insecurity should be completely unacceptable, yet as of today it is systemic and endemic.”
Now in its third year, Buy One, Give One turns the purchase of an everyday breakfast staple into direct support for households doing it tough.
Red Tractor CEO Andrew Loader said, “Two years ago, we set out to help feed Australian families through the simple act of buying a bag of oats.”
“Today, Buy One, Give One is in its third year, and the need has never been greater.
“Each bag of Red Tractor oats bought at ALDI is a direct way for Australians to help someone in their community doing it tough, and we couldn’t be prouder to keep building on the impact we’ve made together.”
The donated oats will be distributed through Foodbank’s national network and into pantries across the country during winter.
“Buy One, Give One allows Foodbank to move oats around the country and into the pantries of people in need in time for winter,” said Tink.
“We couldn’t be more grateful to Red Tractor and ALDI for supporting Foodbank and Australian families, and we encourage oat lovers to head into ALDI and pick up their Red Tractor oats.”
ALDI Australia buying director for breakfast Ben Jacobs said the campaign turns an everyday grocery purchase into practical support for families.
“Breakfast is something many of us can take for granted, but for households facing food insecurity, a pantry staple like oats can help provide a nutritious start to the day,” he said.
“Through this initiative, ALDI customers can play a simple but meaningful role in helping Foodbank reach more Australians this winter.”
Red Tractor’s 1.6kg oats are priced at $5.99 and available at ALDI stores nationwide as a Special Buy from July 20, while stocks last.
Source: Zonnios & Hunt
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