Bay of Plenty farmers are being urged to donate mince and milk from their herds to help meet growing demand from local foodbanks for nutritious protein, as BayTrust announces a $7500 grant to support the work of Meet the Need.

BayTrust’s funding will help cover local operational costs for the nationwide charity, which distributes donated protein to foodbanks and community organisations to support those facing food insecurity.

Last year, Meet the Need supplied around 80,000 portions of mince and milk powder to Bay of Plenty residents through 11 foodbanks and social service organisations. These included Salvation Army branches in Tauranga, Rotorua and Whakatāne, Taupō Bellyful, and Tūrangi Foodbank, among others.

Meet the Need stakeholder liaison Danielle Williams says demand continues to outstrip supply, with a number of Bay of Plenty organisations currently on a waitlist.

“Large-scale farming and land management trust, Trinity Lands, has recently come on board, which means we’ll soon be able to start supplying donated protein to The Hub in Te Puke and Good Neighbour in Tauranga as well,” Danielle says. “But there is still significant unmet need across the region.”

Danielle says the impact of donated protein is immediate and meaningful.

“Our protein supplies make a real difference. One individual who had previously been making do with just noodles and tinned tuna has been able to make spaghetti bolognese – a meal that lasts three to four days and provides proper nutrition.”

The Meet the Need charity is seeking more donations from farmers. Photo / Supplied

Meet the Need partners with Silver Fern Farms and Fonterra, enabling sheep, beef and dairy farmers to donate mince and milk powder from their herds. Public cash donations are also welcomed, with 100% going directly toward supplying protein to foodbanks.

Operational costs, including staff wages, are funded separately through philanthropic support such as the BayTrust grant.

“It’s been a tough economic environment, and despite having no physical premises and a very lean team, we are struggling to keep up with current supply, let alone support organisations on our waitlist,” Danielle says.

“It means a lot to us to be supported by organisations that value the work we are doing in the community. Every bit counts, and receiving this grant from BayTrust is a huge sense of relief.”

BayTrust CEO Alastair Rhodes says food insecurity is often misunderstood.

“There’s a misconception about who needs support from foodbanks. Many families face food insecurity through no fault of their own. When a car breaks down, a freezer fails, or a partner becomes unwell, people can quickly find themselves needing help.”

Meet the Need estimates the Bay of Plenty requires 235 cows and 14,500 litres of milk to be donated each year to fully meet demand from existing foodbanks and those currently on the waitlist.

“Every cow or litre of milk donated translates into meals for families who would otherwise go without nutritious protein,” Alistair says.

“This is a very worthwhile cause that BayTrust is proud to support, and we hope more local farmers are able to lend their support as well.”

-Supplied content