Pork producers give hand up

Despite being in one of the longest downturns many in the industry can remember, Pork SA members have elected to support Adelaide-based homeless charity Catherine House, with at least three months worth of pork donations lined up.

Riverton pork producer and Pork SA committee member Matthew Greenslade said the idea was initially floated in a committee meeting as a way to get the message about the pork industry crisis to the general public.

“Sometimes if you can pay if forward, you can put some of the product out there and get the message out,” he said.

The donation will enable up to two pork meals at Catherine House each week.

At the same time, pork producers are asking the Australian public to eat one more meal of pork a week.

While pork has grown in popularity to become Australia’s second most consumed meat, an oversupply of meat, combined with cheap imports, has lead to a price below the cost of production.

“Every pig farmer across the country is losing money on each pig,” Mr Greenslade said.

“I’ve been in this industry for 35 years and this is the longest downturn I can remember. I’m hopeful by late this year it will have had a turnaround.”

SA pork producers have committed to supply a whole pig each fortnight to Catherine House for a three-month period, although Mr Greenslade is optimistic it will continue beyond that period.

The donation also has the support of the processing industry, which will process the animals for free. 

To make the contribution more valuable, Pork SA has also donated a freezer.

Mr Greenslade said the goal is to get the message about pork out to consumers, while also doing something good to help others.

“We’ve got a lot of confidence in the public – if they know the industry is in trouble, they will help,” he said.

He is urging consumers to look for fresh cuts and the Australian pink logo to ensure it is local product.

Catherine House fundraising and events manager Jaylee Cooper said the service, which provides accommodation, support and recovery services for women, had room for 48 women each night across its three facilities and was “full every night of the year”.

She said food was one of the service’s biggest costs, usually sourced via Food Bank and supermarkets.

“A donation like this makes a difference,” she said. “This means because we have this ongoing support, money can be spent on other things.

“Catherine House is 67 per cent government-funded with the shortfall required to be made up through fundraising support from the wider community.”

Ms Cooper said many of those who access the service, particularly the emergency house, could arrive malnourished, so being able to provide a nutritious meal was important.

Pork SA chair Mark McLean said many pig producers were struggling, financially and emotionally, so would appreciate the support from consumers. 

Struggling pork producers are also being reminded they can contact Rural Business Support on 1800 836 211 to find out what support is available.