Mince is versatile and children love it. Which is why SuperGrans manager Linda Coulston is “over the moon” to have guaranteed quarterly donations of prime mince at a total annual value of around $16,000.
The donation is through the combined generosity of Greenlea beef company, Fergus Rural livestock agency and local farmers.
The export-quality packs of mince will be distributed through SuperGrans — one of Gisborne's official foodbank providers — to families up the East Coast, in Wairoa and through the Gizzy Kai Rescue not-for-profit organisation.
It is the second donation of prime mince and it is not going to stop.
This latest 525 kilograms of mince came from two cattle beasts donated by local farmers Dan and Jane Griffin and the Fergus Rural team.
The meat was processed and delivered by Greenlea, a Hamilton-based meat company owned and operated by the Egan family, whose roots go back to a small butchery in Gisborne more than 80 years ago.
Mrs Coulston said with help from local farmers and Fergus Rural, Greenlea had committed to making similar-sized donations every three months. This would help feed hundreds of families.
“Having high-quality protein we can put into our kai parcels is an incredible bonus for us and the wider community.
“Mince is so versatile. You can make so much with it and children love it. We are absolutely over the moon with the ongoing support of Fergus Rural, Greenlea and our Gisborne farmers.”
Fergus Rural managing director Rob Fergus said his team put in their own money for the donation.
“We sponsor sports teams and rural-based events, however, we wanted to do something to look after the wider community, especially after Covid.
“That's when we touched base with Linda and worked out they were short of protein.
“Being in the livestock industry we thought ‘we can help out there'.
“We are aiming to supply the mince on a continuous basis throughout the year so they always have a supply.”
The Fergus Rural team also include Daryl Fergus, Ross Mitchell, Deano Brenssell and Jenny Telfer.
“We are all really impressed with how SuperGrans distribute it,” said Rob Fergus.
“We like that it reaches the wider community, regardless of race or religion.
“If anybody wants to donate a cattle beast as a one-off, or on a regular basis, please contact us.”
Greenlea livestock manager Bruce Mudgway said it was a great cause supported by great people.
“We only put out the very best quality for donations made, so the product delivered to SuperGrans is export-quality mince.
“In future, if farmers in the region decide to get behind the cause and consign an animal to Greenlea we will certainly get the value of product back to SuperGrans to distribute on the East Coast.”