Sodexo has pledged to deliver one million meals to communities where it operates by 2030 to help alleviate cost-of-living pressures.
In 2023, Sodexo Australia signed a partnership with a non-profit community centre, Nintirri, to donate 45 meals weekly to help feed diabetic community members and at-risk Indigenous Elders living in Tom Price in Western Australia’s Pilbara region.
Since the program began in January 2024, Sodexo has broadened its commitment by pledging one million meals delivered to communities where it operates by 2030.
Keith Weston, Managing Director of Sodexo Australia, said that as an organisation, they must do their bit to stop hunger.
“Through partnerships with community, Foodbank, and Traditional Owner organisations we can change this one meal at a time. We believe in a reconciled Australia which is promoted through enhanced culturally safe partnerships—seen through our current engagement with organisations such as Nintirri.
“Outside of metro locations inconsistent supply and inflated costs due to freight has caused Indigenous communities to experience food insecurity. By removing the uncertainty around where their next meal is coming from with our Memorandum of Understanding in Tom Price, we deliver tangible outcomes for at risk members of the community through the Nintirri food security pilot program.”
Mara Neale, Community Health Nurse for Nintirri and IBN, has called for more active corporate role models, like Sodexo.
“Nintirri’s purpose is to unify community by building resilient places where individuals are supported to live safe, healthy, and empowered lives.
“We believe in the power of thriving communities, and through partnerships like Sodexo this is made possible. As a non-profit, we rely on businesses and community members looking to make an impact. Although it isn’t a lot to ask, with the current cost of living crisis there are less people able to pitch in and support those experiencing hardship.”
As well as the newly signed MoU with Nintirri, Sodexo is also currently in an agreement with Ngarluma and Yindjibarndi Foundation Limited (NYFL) to invest in the empowerment of Indigenous communities in the Roebourne area.
A key component of this agreement is providing goods at low or no cost to the 100 per cent Indigenous owned supermarket, Ieramugadu Store Maya.
Weston said they have been on a reconciliation journey for more than 15 years.
“Our Reconciliation Action Plan guides culturally safe initiatives that enable Indigenous Australians to successfully achieve sustainable whole of life outcomes.
“Our MoU with Nintirri is just the jumping point. We hope to see the impacts of our actions in the coming months and expand our activity beyond our initial engagement.”
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