For an organization like Lactalis Australia, Corporate Social Responsibility plays out in many different ways.
It can mean respecting and protecting the environment, or acting with integrity while conducting business with our suppliers. Or it can involve supporting our farmers, during extreme weather events, such as floods or droughts, like we did in Queensland after the dramatic floods of 2011. Similarly in Victoria, where our three year milk supply agreement guaranteed a minimum farm gate price that protected our suppliers from the massive decline in milk price during the 2016/17 season.
All of these business practices are part of who we are as a business, and how we want to be regarded in the community. They demonstrate true social responsibility.
But just recently, the impact of another of our important CSR platforms was showcased, in the delivery of the Foodbank annual report.
As many of the Lactalis Australia team would be well aware, we have actively supported this well respected charitable organisation for a number of years via the donation of fresh milk, yoghurt and desserts.
However the recent report highlighted not only the volume of this support, but the impact it had in the community.
Over the course of the calendar year, Lactalis Australia donated 1.25 million kg worth of product, which equated to 2.25 million meals. But perhaps the most astonishing figure was the “social return”, which Foodbank calculated at $28.7 million.
“Social return” points to the multiplier effect of fresh milk (and other nutritional foods) being provided to members of the community who otherwise, would go without. The health implications (physical, and in turn, emotional and social) are enormous. Good nutrition in the community relieves pressure on the public health and welfare services.
As a business, we can all feel justifiably proud of the role we play in supporting Foodbank’s profound impact in the community.