A DANDENONG supermarket is among many Safeway and Woolworths stores around Australia to donate an entire day’s profits to drought-stricken farmers.
Safeway Supermarket in the Dandenong Plaza this week pledged its profits from Tuesday to the Country Women’s Association (CWA) for the group’s drought relief program.
Dandenong Safeway participated in the National Drought Action Day to help farming families with household bills, and for research into sustainable farming.
Woolworths CEO Michael Luscombe said the socially responsible act was the company’s way of relieving the burden that drought brought farmers, many of them the company’s fresh food suppliers.
“Woolworths recognises the immediate issues facing Australian farmers and the intrinsic link that this has on all of our daily lives,” he said.
“There are two key issues that we must address – the financial hardships faced by rural families right now, and the longer-term viability of our agricultural industry in a changing and unpredictable climate.
“At this point in time, Australia is one of the few countries in the world that is relatively self sufficient in terms of its fresh food supply.
“We will only be able to stay this way if we embrace a more sustainable approach to farming.”
Mr Luscombe said he expected up to $3 million to be raised from Tuesday’s takings, and 100 per cent of the profits would go to the cause.
Country Women’s Association national president Lesley Young praised Woolworths for its generosity.
“The drought is affecting every one of us in different ways,” she said. “This initiative gives us hope now, and for the future of Australian farming.
“On behalf of Australian farming families in Australia we are grateful to Woolworths for raising awareness of this critical issue.”
