For all the years Hancock Prospecting has partnered award winning Bannister Downs Dairy they have sought to improve the lives of West Australians through the regular donation of milk supplies to the south-west of the state through Foodbank WA’s Bunbury depot.

Having been a long-term supporter, Bannister Downs Dairy will expand their partnership with Foodbank to include a weekly donation of fresh and flavoured milk to Foodbank WA’s Centre for Hunger Relief at Perth Airport. This will then be distributed to all branches across Western Australia.

With the holiday season upon us and sharp increases in the cost of living even more families require support just to meet their basic food needs. Milk is a vital part of a nutritional diet and Foodbank’s current supply doesn’t meet demand.

The Foodbank Hunger Report 2023 highlighted the reality of food stress in West Australia as the cost-of-living crisis continues to impact. The report states that 388,000 households in this State are experiencing moderate to severe food stress. Half of which have children at home.

Kate O’Hara, CEO, Foodbank WA said “We are experiencing unprecedented demand for food relief in the lead up to Christmas. With each interest rate rise we see more and more people reach out for help. We could not support those who rely on us without the support of generous food donors like Bannister Downs Dairy, particularly given the demand we have for milk.”

Hancock Agriculture Executive Chairman and Bannister Downs Dairy part owner, Mrs Gina Rinehart AO, and Sue Daubney, Managing Director, Bannister Downs Dairy visited Foodbank WA’s Centre for Hunger Relief to make the offer of increased supplies.

“It is increasingly concerning that so many families and children do not have access to food basics. We are pleased that we can extend our support by offering the highest quality and nutrient rich Bannister Downs fresh milk to support the important work Foodbank is doing across the state,” Sue Daubney said.

The ability to provide nutritious and healthy food, including milk, is vital to supporting people struggling to put food on the table. Milk carries nutrients that are often under-consumed - potassium, B12, calcium and vitamin D – along with vitamin A, magnesium, zinc and B1.All important for bone health in growing children and as we age.

In addition to the Bannister partnership, leading iron ore company Roy Hill, majority owned by Hancock Prospecting and Chaired by Mrs Rinehart, has supported Foodbank WA since 2020 through emergency relief hampers provided to Pilbara Families, and is in discussions on an initiative for the region.

“Hancock companies operate throughout West Australia and are more than just a company name. We are very proud of the quality of the Bannister Dairy, and other agriculture we produce. However, as Foodbank WA CEO Kate O’Hara clearly says, with each interest rate rise, more and more people are finding it difficult to cope, so more than our milk is of course needed. In these difficult times with costs escalating, it will help many Australians if government burdens, be they fuel tax, licence fees, stamp tax, payroll tax or others were dropped. Which relief on behalf of many West Australians in difficulty, I’d like to ask the governments to undertake,” said Mrs Rinehart.