Fonterra Support For Christchurch Earthquake Victims
Fonterra has today donated $1 million dollars to the Red Cross Christchurch Earthquake Appeal.
CEO Andrew Ferrier said: “We have also launched a Fonterra Earthquake Relief Fund to enable our 10,500 farmer-shareholders and 16,000 staff to make personal donations. Fonterra will match what they give, dollar for dollar, up to a further $1 million.
“At the same time, we realise the most pressing need is for water and we began shipping in tank-loads early this morning.
“We’re working on getting 1 million litres of water from our Clandeboye site to the school sites around Christchurch. We will keep the water coming for as long as it is needed”.
Mr Ferrier said Fonterra would also be delivering UHT milk and bottled water to relief centres in Christchurch as it is needed.
“Mr Ferrier said Fonterra farmers around Christchurch had largely come through the earthquake unscathed. There was no major damage to Fonterra sites and the co-op was collecting and processing milk as normal.
“Our farmers are keen to help in any way they can. Civil Defence has advised that people are desperate for emergency accommodation. So we are collecting the details of local farmers with spare beds.
“Our hearts go out to the people of Christchurch and we will continue to do all we can to help at this difficult time,” Mr Ferrier said.
About Fonterra
Fonterra is a global leader in dairy nutrition – the preferred supplier of dairy ingredients to many of the world’s leading food companies. Fonterra is also a market leader with our own consumer dairy brands in Australia/New Zealand, Asia/Africa, Middle East and Latin America.
The farmer-owned New Zealand co-operative is the largest processor of milk in the world, producing more than two million tonnes of dairy ingredients, value added dairy ingredients, specialty ingredients and consumer products every year. Drawing on generations of dairy expertise, Fonterra is one of the largest investors in dairy based research and innovation in the world. Our 16,000 staff work across the dairy spectrum from advising farmers on sustainable farming and milk production, to ensuring we live up to exacting quality standards and delivering every day on our customer promise in more than 100 markets around the world.
