By Molly Magennis
A new community food store has opened in Hobsons Bay, offering discounted items to local residents and community organisations.
Food company Kraft Heinz opened The Pantry at their Altona distribution centre, which will redirect potential food waste back to those who need it most.
The types of products that will be available are ones that can no longer be sold through traditional channels like in supermarkets or online as they require a certain level of shelf-life.
Tinned goods such as Heinz Beans, Golden Circle fruit and vegetables, Heinz soups and Kraft Mac and Cheese however are still fine to eat, with Kraft Heinz following all food safety and quality processes before stocking these items on The Pantry’s shelves.
The outlet store will be accessible to Kraft Heinz staff, family and friends, Hobsons Bay residents (upon an ID check) and community organisations such as West Welcome Wagon and Lions Club.
With Kraft Heinz’s distribution centre having been located in Altona for over 20 years, a company spokesperson said it was chosen as the site for The Pantry because it “felt like the natural fit for a community-focused initiative such as this.”
The spokesperson said with so many Australians struggling with food security, it’s evident that more work needs to be done regarding food wastage in large companies.
“Further, packaged food waste has to be sent to landfill if it needs to be disposed of and so, any activity that redirects perfectly good food away from landfill is a positive result for the environment,” the spokesperson said.
“With the supply chain disruption experience during COVID, we also saw the effect of inconsistent demand and therefore having too much or too little stock available. On the rare occasions we have more product than needed, we will also redirect this to The Pantry.”
The Pantry will be open Wednesday’s from 12pm-5pm, Thursday’s from 12pm-5pm and Saturday’s from 9am-1pm. It is located at 9 Westlink Ct, Altona.
