Farmers are quietly solving one of our biggest problems
OPINION: As food insecurity deepens across New Zealand, a powerful solution is quietly unfolding in our rural communities - and it starts at the farm gate.
Clifton Downs Southdown Stud breeder Chris Medlicott sold the ram in his on-farm sale in November, with the proceeds donated to Meat the Need and Feed Out.
The proceeds of the sale created 4,295 mince and milk meals for 110 food banks and community organisations nationwide.
Medlicott was already aware of the charity, and after seeing Shrimpton Hill Herefords’ donate a lot in their bull sale, it prompted him to do the same with his own ram and ewe sale.
“I’m really proud that we produce top quality New Zealand food, but there are some people in the country who can’t afford to eat it,” he says.
“We want all New Zealanders eating produce off our farms and that was really the reason for me to donate.”
Passionate about his Southdown Stud and breeding genetics, every year Medlicott hosts an on-farm ram sale with up to 80 sheep and donates a lot to a charity or organization.
The PGG Wrightson’s auctioneer enjoyed hammering off the lot for Meat the Need, he says, and donated their commission too.
The purchasers were also pleased to be donating to a good cause and walking away with a good breeding ram.
“It’s always a good feeling that you’re helping someone in need and in all walks of life really,” Medlicott says.
The feeling of being able to provide more than 4,000 meals of top quality, home-grown protein to those facing food insecurity through his donation was “quite priceless”.
“Donating the proceeds of a ram is a different measure to donating cash from your bank account. Besides, I think you get more generous with age,” he says.
Meat the Need and Feed Out facilitate donations of cash, livestock and milk to turn into meals for more than 110 food banks and community organisations nationwide through processors Silver Fern Farms, Miraka and Fonterra.
