
LOCAL Safeway stores will donate next Tuesday’s profits towards drought relief.
Safeway’s Cranbourne stores have jumped on board, with customers encouraged to shop at the store on 23 January to help raise money for families in need.
Part of an aim to support Australian rural communities during the drought, Woolworths will donate its supermarket earnings to the Country Women’s Association (CWA) as well as research into sustainable farming practices.
Woolworths CEO Michael Luscombe said the Woolworths National Drought Action Day was expected to raise more than $3 million.
“Every Australian is starting to feel the real impact of the drought and, unless we act now, the unique rural heritage of Australia will be under threat,” he said.
“Woolworths recognises the immediate issues facing Australian farmers and the intrinsic link this has on all our daily lives.
“There are two key issues 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.”
Mr Luscombe said that with the decline in rainfall gradually spreading over eastern and southern Australia last year and the near total failure of the late winter and spring rains in August, all suppliers were feeling the pain.
CWA national president Lesley Young said, on behalf of Australian farming families in Australia, the organisation was grateful to Woolworths for raising awareness of a critical issue.
“The drought is affecting every one of us in different ways. This initiative gives us hope now and for the future of Australian farming,” she said.