Anchor backs Christmas appeal

 Anchor milk, part of Fonterra Brands, is partnering with the New Zealand Food Network, a national food charity that will fill and distribute Christmas food hampers to families in need.

Anchor has donated $100,000 in product including milk, cream, custard, cheese and butter to kickstart the appeal and is encouraging fellow Kiwis to support the New Zealand Food Network.

To help bring the appeal to life, Anchor has reimagined the classic Christmas poem ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’, swapping the fairy-tale narrative for a story that aims to shed light on the issue of food poverty for New Zealanders.

The poem has been released as an online video with a new set of lyrics that chart the impact donations – big or small – can make this year. 

Fonterra Brands New Zealand marketing director Mike Boness says the co-op is one of the founding corporate members of New Zealand Food Network. “Our values align with their endeavour to care for all New Zealanders,” he says.

“We hope our reimagination of ‘Twas the night before Christmas’ will encourage everyday Kiwis to support the appeal, as well as shine a spotlight on the issue of food poverty in our own backyard.”

Food hampers created for the appeal will include a Christmas spread for a family of four, including a ham, fresh vegetables and fruit, Weet-Bix, fresh milk, cheese, custard and cream, and some sweet treats.

The hampers will be delivered to charities across the country from December 21.

New Zealand Food Network’s fellow partners – including T&G Fresh, Sanitarium, and Griffins – are helping subisdise the cost of the hampers. This means that a $25 donation from the public will help feed a family of four this Christmas with a hamper valued at more than $110.

Donations made by New Zealanders to the appeal will go directly to NZ Food Network to help fund the food sourcing, creation, and distribution of its food hampers.

Since its establishment in May 2020, NZ Food Network has made a significant impact: in the first three months, it distributed 532,000kgs of food to its partnering food hubs which is equivalent to 1,520,700 meals delivered to people in need.

Boness says Anchor is committed to helping communities across the country prosper.

“As a quintessentially Kiwi brand, Anchor hopes to bring Kiwis together in the festive spirit of solidarity.”

NZ Food Network chief executive Gavin Findlay says the issue of food poverty in this country is a very real problem – and the onset of COVID-19 has only amplified the issue. 

“The New Zealand Food Network was founded with the purpose of delivering nutritious food to charities across the country; however, we are facing an unprecedented challenge with Christmas just around the corner.  We hope this appeal with Anchor will resonate with everyday New Zealanders, and together we can help thousands of our fellow Kiwis.”