Meat, vegetables and fruit will provide hearty meals to families in need next week in a gesture of kindness from the bush to the city.
Mid north coast beef farmer Robert Mackenzie from Mackas Beef donated 300kg of angus beef mince, while Hilltop Fruit Market (Coleman St, Merrylands), LJ Hooker Granville & Guildford, Councillor Joseph Rahme and two anonymous donors provided 300 boxes of fruit and vegetables.
Our professional chefs will cook the meat and vegetables into shepherd’s pies and lasagnes, while some of the food will be provided to families uncooked. The food will be packaged and delivered by defence force personnel to households in need who have been identified by police, local charities and council.
Councillor Joseph Rahme, who facilitated and drove the project, said the joint initiative showed all parts of the Australian community coming together.
“I’m very proud to see our local businesses, government, defence and the community coming together with our country cousins to provide for households in need,” Councillor Rahme said.
“When I started to spread the word, many local businesses were keen to jump on board.”
Councillor Rahme gained the support of Trims Fresh in Merrylands, Woolworths Merrylands and Bidfood Sydney who also donated produce. Confoil Australia donated trays and packaging. Meat and Livestock Australia’s Sam Burke and resident Belinda Barakat were also instrumental in the initiative. Bakers Delight Merrylands and local worker Cameron Simpson also contributed.
Farmer Mr Mackenzie, from Salt Ash, north of Newcastle, said it was his opportunity to support the city that supported the bush.
“The city always digs deep in times of flood, drought and bushfire for farmers and regional communities and this is an opportunity for us to give to the city during their time of need,” Mr Mackenzie said.
Mayor Steve Christou said families in the area had been doing it tough.
“With the shutdown of businesses, there have been many families who have no household income, but still have to pay bills. Our community is low socio-economic so are more vulnerable to the lockdowns,” Mayor Christou said.
The beef, fruit and vegetables will be prepared at our Holroyd Centre (17 Miller Street Merrylands) and distributed on 18 August.
