Stopping waste to cater need

Foodbank WA is working with a generous Herne Hill orchardist to reduce food waste and to provide much-needed fruit for WA families.

Like many small rural properties in Perth and the South-West, the orchard produces significant quantities of quality citrus fruit, but the volume of trees and fruit is not enough for a commercial venture.

With the support of its corporate volunteer partners, Foodbank WA has been able to pick and sort this fresh produce.

Almost 2000kg of mandarins and oranges were picked with the assistance of volunteers from Ajilon Australia, a business and technology consulting firm.

Ajilon managing director Ger Doyle said volunteering at Foodbank WA was important to his staff.

‘Ajilon have been involved with Foodbank for the past few years as part of our dedicated corporate social responsibility program,’ Mr Doyle said.

‘We are delighted to be a part of this new initiative which will assist so many West Australians in need.

‘The work that Foodbank does is invaluable to the community and as an organisation committed to supporting community initiatives, we are proud to be a part of this.’

Foodbank WA chief executive Greg Hebble said harvesting surplus fruit would help the charity fulfill its commitment to providing fresh produce for people in need.

‘Fresh fruit and vegetables are vitally important for good health,’ he said.

‘Without the support of corporate volunteers like Ajilon we would not be able to pick fruit for disadvantaged families.

‘We look forward to working with more growers and orchardists to ensure we always have farm fresh produce.’