Month: June 2016

Foodbank extended a big thank you to Costa marking the milestone of 2 million kilograms of produce donated for Australians in need. This equates to over 16 million serves of nutritious fresh fruit and vegetables to people who might otherwise have gone without. 

In 2011, Costa was one of the first fresh produce companies to commit to assisting Foodbank on a national level and since then has become one of the food relief organisation’s most valuable partners.

As a result of the support from Australian fresh food and grocery companies such as Costa, Foodbank is able to deliver 166,000 meals per day to 2,400 charities and 1,500 schools for distribution to people in crisis. In 2015, Foodbank distributed 60 million kilograms of food and groceries across Australia, with 35% of this going directly to rural and regional areas.

Unfortunately, though, as demand continues to rise Foodbank is struggling to keep up supply to meet the need in the community. Hunger is a hidden crisis in Australia with over two million Australians seeking food relief at some point each year. Even more alarming than this is the fact that, according to the Foodbank Hunger Report, over a third of those going without are children.

“Donating to Foodbank not only prevents excess produce going to waste and landfill, but means organisations such as Costa can help make a valuable difference in the lives of thousands of Australians.  For this reason we are very proud of our ongoing association with Foodbank and look forward to extending our partnership over the years ahead,” said Costa Group Chief Operating Officer, Mr George Haggar.

According to the Foodbank Hunger Report, the impact of food relief is both immediate and far-reaching. In addition to having their hunger addressed, people report longer-term benefits such as improved physical health, being able to plan for the future and feeling able to look for work or get a job.

For more information on the Foodbank Produce Program and to learn about how to get involved, you can contact Foodbank’s General Manager – Food, Michael Davidson on 0400 724 613 or visit foodbank.org.au.

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The first Good Food and Wine Show for 2016 took place in Melbourne from the 3rd -5th June, and Costa was a major exhibitor through our Blush Tomato category and our association with the Australian Mushroom Growers Association.

More than 26,500 people attended the show, enjoying 7,000 of our freshly prepared tomato salad and sweet berry truss canapés and 21,000 snacking tomatoes.

The Australian Mushroom Growers Association also participated at the show promoting the new “Mushroom Industry Brand” with cooking demonstrations and samples for hungry show visitors.

Blush Tomatoes and Australian Mushrooms will also be participating in Sydney’s Good Food and Wine Show in 5th -7th August.

Costa has been awarded $1.2 million in funding from the Federal and State Governments Tasmanian Jobs and Investment Fund to undertake a multi-million dollar project which will expand and upgrade Costa’s East Devonport distribution centre and modified atmosphere facility, allowing the Company to increase its capacity to pack, store and ship a greater volume of its Tasmanian grown berries.
 
The works will include installation of new and additional refrigeration and fast cooling equipment, packing and transportation infrastructure, including loading docks.
 
The increased capacity will also enable Costa to invest in expanding its local berry production, with additional hectares of berries to be planted locally over the next four years.
 
The investment which will be undertaken over the next 12 to 18 months will create sustainable jobs, with up to 130 full time equivalent jobs being created.  Of these jobs, 25 to 30 will be created in the distribution centre, with the remainder across the berry farms.
 
“The primary objective of this project is to expand our berry production capacity in Tasmania.  Costa will undertake new plantings of blackberries, blueberries, strawberries and raspberries.  Tasmania is the only location where we grow all four berry varieties,” said Costa CEO, Harry Debney 
 
Costa also markets berries on behalf of six North West Tasmanian third party growers for our Driscolls Australia Joint Venture.  These growers will directly benefit from the investment in the distribution centre and modified atmosphere facility.

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