The group behind Buy a Bale has switched its attention to the country’s struggling dairy farmers.
In the same way the Buy a Bale program delivered more than three million dollars of drought assistance, Hampers to Help aimed to keep food on the tables, for dairy farmers.
Portland Murray Goulburn dairy farmer Jessa Fleming said Rural Aid had set up Hampers to Help.
“Whilst we have need for a range of items like animal feed and help with vet bills, knowing I won’t have to worry about food for the hubby and kids will just make such a difference,” Ms Fleming said.
“Emotionally and financially, the idea that I’ll have food on my table means so much.”
The www.hamperstohelp.com.au website, with offered $50 and $100 hampers, was being co-ordinated by Rural Aid.
Rural Aid chief executive Charles Alder said the aim was to help both farmers and local businesses.
“Not only the farmers, but local businesses who employ so many and who are also feeling the effects of the clawback,” Mr Alder said.
“Our next step is to bring in our Farm Army of volunteers and do weekend work on assisting farmers with small jobs that are just being put off at the moment.”
Australians would be asked buy a hamper as a one off, or purchase a monthly hamper subscription.
The hamper orders would be collated and the orders placed with local supermarkets, importantly keeping the business local.
Rural Aid was partnering with Ritchies IGA across Victoria, where the vouchers could be redeemed.
Ritchies National Marketing Manager Jarrod Swaine said the initiative made sense, as the program directly injected cash into the local community and helped the whole economy.
“Whilst our farmers are doing it tough, all local businesses are affected and this is a great way to add extra support”.
