You hydrate, We donate: Mount Franklin and Coles partner to support SecondBite

The initiative aims to provide the equivalent of one million meals to Australians in need

Iconic Australian water brand, Mount Franklin, has joined forces with major supermarket, Coles, to support food relief organisation, SecondBite.

As part of the partnership, Mount Franklin is donating 20 cents to SecondBite from each purchase of specially marked 20x500ml packs sold at Coles stores nationally¹.

Every dollar donated enables SecondBite to provide five meals for people in need². Through the partnership, Mount Franklin and Coles aim to donate the equivalent of one million meals to those who need them most.

The initiative follows research by SecondBite that shows an increasing number of Australians do not have enough food to eat, with 3 in 4 local charities reporting higher demand for food donations from SecondBite³.

SecondBite collects unsold, edible food from growers, manufacturers and Coles stores and distributes it to more than 1100 charity partners nationally to feed hungry Aussies in need

Livia De Salvo, Mount Franklin Marketing Manager, said:

“Access to food and water are basic human needs and it is concerning to hear from SecondBite that so many Australians are currently going without.

“Giving back to the community to create a more sustainable and equitable future for all Australians is a long-held value of ours and we’re proud to use the power of Mount Franklin to partner with Coles and SecondBite to support those who need it most.”

SecondBite’s mission is to end waste and end hunger by making sure good food gets to people who need it most, rather than to landfill.  The food it rescues is turned into nutritious meals that help vulnerable segments of the community, such as the homeless, refugees and asylum seekers, families in crisis, elderly people, and those on low income.

Steve Clifford, Chief Executive Officer at SecondBite, said the support of Coles and Mount Franklin would have a huge difference on the organisation’s capabilities over the next 12 months.

“The funds raised through the partnership with Mount Franklin and Coles will allow us to ramp up our food collection across the country and ultimately support more people who are struggling to put a meal on the table.” 

Coles has supported SecondBite’s food relief efforts since 2011, and in that time has donated more than 95,000 tonnes of unsold food to the not-for-profit organisation. 

Leah Weckert, Chief Executive Commercial and Express at Coles, said:

“We know it’s a difficult time for some Australians so we encourage shoppers to help raise funds for SecondBite by picking up a specially-marked pack of water at one of our supermarkets across the country.”

Australians can get involved and show their support by purchasing a specially-marked pack in-store or online at Coles until 31 March 2023. Donations can also be made directly to SecondBite via its website.  

-ENDS-

NOTES TO THE EDITOR

¹  20 cents from the sale of each 20x500ml pack of Mount Franklin Pure Australian Springwater purchased from Coles Supermarkets between 1/10/2022 and 31/03/2023 will be donated by the manufacturer of Mount Franklin (Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Australia) to SecondBite, up to a maximum of $200,000.

² SecondBite average cost in FY22 of providing one meal to a person in need is 20 cents.

³ Understanding Food Rescue Future Trends Report, August 2022. Conducted on behalf of SecondBite by social insights agency, Hall & Partners.

About Mount Franklin

‘Mount Franklin’ is pure Australian spring water of exceptional quality and purity. Only the finest selected springs around the country meet our strict requirements for water quality and environmental sustainability. Mount Franklin is prepared and bottled by Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Australia Pty Ltd, under the authority of Southerly Change Drinks Pty Ltd, owner of the ‘Mount Franklin’ trademark.

About Coles

Coles is an omnichannel retailer selling products including fresh food, groceries and liquor through its supermarkets, liquor stores and eCommerce platforms. Coles employs more than 120,000 team members, engages with more than 8,000 suppliers, has more than 430,000 direct shareholders and welcomes millions of customers through its extensive store network and eCommerce platforms every week.

About SecondBite

Founded in 2005, SecondBite is one of Australia’s largest food rescue and redistribution charities. We work with food retailers, manufacturers, and primary producers to divert unsold, edible food from landfill and supply it free of charge to our 1,100+ agency partners around the country. In the 2022 financial year SecondBite rescued and redistributed more than 24 million kg of food, enough to provide the equivalent of more than 48 million meals to Australians in need. Rescued food is used by our agency partners to provide emergency relief hampers, community pantries, preprepared meals and school breakfast programs.