(Image credit – Piccolina Gelateria)
Food Focused Initiatives for Bushfire Relief
If you’re looking to give to the bushfire relief, here are some food focused initiatives putting their money where their mouth is
By Jennifer Curcio
It’s been a sad end to 2019 and a rough to start to 2020 for many Australians. Media outlets have been alight with constant updates on the one of the worst bushfire seasons Australia’s ever seen. Despite the horror and feelings of hopelessness, this situation has lead Australians and even the international community, to gather, put their heads together and their hearts on their sleeve. The efforts of groups and individuals has been heartening to say the least. One of my favourites was the #Authorsforfireys initiative on Twitter where authors auctioned their signed books, illustrations or creative services and channeled the funds direct to the Country Fire Authority (CFA). Of course it goes without saying that Foodbank Australia have done an incredible job during this bushfire emergency.
Here I’ve listed and will continue to list food focused initiatives for the current bushfire relief, specifically food product businesses, cafes and restaurants. Whether it’s tips or a percentage of sales, it is times like these that allow businesses to show what they’re really made of and reinforce their values (particularly the ones donating 100% of sales). For me as a consumer this also contributes in deciding the companies my values are aligned with and that I want to continue to support.
Some of the businesses who have already contributed to the effort include Attica, who pledged to donate all proceeds from its first service of 2020 (January 7th) in equal parts to the Fire Relief Fund for First Nations Communities, the CFA, The Victorian Bushfire Appeal and The Wildlife Victoria Bushfire Appeal. Others include The Beauty Chef who for 48 hours donated 100% of their sales to the Red Cross, NSW Rural Fire Service and WIRES Wildlife Rescue. For 24 hours event organisers at So Frenchy So Chic also donated 100% of ticket sales to the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, and the list goes on and on.
Is there a food focused initiative donating generously to the bushfire relief that you’d like to see mentioned here? Please email me at: info@decisivecravings.com.au
Note: On December 24th, 2019 we donated the registration fee from our recent Christmas Baking Swap to the NSW Rural Fire Service and WIRES. See more here.
The team at Piccolina Gelateria have created a Gelato Lamington – vanilla gelato, strawberry jam and sponge cake covered in a dark chocolate glaze and shredded coconut. Sold throughout January, February and March, each month 100% of the proceeds will be donated to a different charity to support the bushfire relief.
All tips, tea and coffee sales in January will be donated to the bushfire relief.
Social enterprise, Wild Timor Coffee in Coburg are currently donating tips to either Food Bank Australia or Wildlife Victoria (you can choose which tip basket to add your tips to).
Mr Brightside Cafe, Upsy Daisy, Hendricks Burgers and Salads, and Neon Tiger
All venues will be donating 100% of tips to the bushfire relief. These proceeds will be split between the CFA and the Red Cross.
All the funds collected from their $25 per person all you can eat curry and rice buffet (vegetarian) on Thursday January 16, will be donated to the CFA.
The roasters and coffee crew at Everyday Coffee in Collingwood have created a Bushfire Relief Espresso blend. Whether you purchase it in-store or online, 100% of sales will go to Wildlife Victoria, WIRES, Victoria Bushfire Appeal and the Fire Relief Fund for First Nations Communities.
NATIF (Australian Superfoods)
Donating $1 from all products sold in January to Wildlife Victoria.
Overseas:
The proceeds from Lamingtons sold at all of the Ottolenghi locations donated to the Australian Red Cross. Note: timeframe not stated.
One of my favourite travel magazines, Suitcase donated all the proceeds from sales of their current taste issue for one week to the WWF Australia.
Other initiatives:
An online initiative, Buy From the Bush showcases makers based in areas facing drought.
A newly launched initiative by Turia Pitt and Grace McBride, Spend with Them is an Instagram account featuring businesses affected by fires.
