Foodbank serves 40 million pasta meals with help from Rinaldi Pasta and MauriANZ

40 million pasta meals have been provided to people in need thanks to a unique partnership between Foodbank, Australia’s largest food relief organisation, and food companies Mauri ANZ and Rinoldi Pasta.

Foodbank provides food for 644,000 people each month and is constantly seeking new ways to find more supplies for those in crisis.

One innovative program entails collaborating with the food industry to manufacture the key staples needed to provide nutritious and filling meals on a consistent basis.

The first and most successful of these collaborations is in the production of pasta.

Since 2010, Rinoldi Pasta has been producing spaghetti and macaroni for Foodbank with flour donated by Mauri ANZ.

The program has just marked 40 million serves manufactured and distributed to frontline charities around the country.

Commenting on the program’s milestone, Foodbank Australia CEO Geoff Starr said: “The Pasta Program sets the benchmark for our food industry partnerships.

“Through the commitment of Rinoldi and Mauri ANZ we have a constant and sustainable supply of a product that forms the foundation of a variety of hearty meals.

“This is crucial if we are to reliably supply charities with the food they need for their vital relief work.”

He went on to say: “The Foodbank Hunger Report, which was released in June, reveals that 43,000 people are still being turned away by charities every month due to lack of food. If we are to bridge this gap, we need to find new and sustainable ways to supplement our existing sources of food. The Pasta Program is a standout example of what commitment and teamwork can achieve.”

Speaking on Rinoldi Pasta’s involvement in the program, its director, Bill Quayle, said: “This is a cause we feel strongly about as an organisation and we are proud to be part of such a smart initiative.”

David Wallace, MD of Mauri ANZ, said: “We are committed to, and proud of, what we’ve achieved as part of the Pasta Program. Working with Foodbank provides us with the opportunity to tap into our resources and the passion of our people to benefit those in need in our community.”