Foodbank South Australia & Northern Territory
Foodbank’s innovative partnership with the South Australian Produce Market Limited and the fruit and vegetable industry tackles food insecurity and access to healthy foods for those who can least afford it, whilst also rescuing edible surplus produce that otherwise would have gone to waste.
The relationship was established in 2013 with an on-site presence, the relationship between the South Australian Produce Market Limited and Foodbank has seen donations of fresh fruit and vegetables from within the market reaching more than 10 million kgs, with now more than 2 million kgs donated per annum.
Foodbank South Australia and Northern Territory is a non-profit organisation which relies on the support of a large network of dedicated people who have a commitment to fulfilling the vision of a South Australia and Northern Territory without hunger.
Established in South Australia in 2000, Foodbank SA & NT’s core concept remains simple – to feed those in need by redistributing surplus food.
Foodbank SA & NT provides food relief to more than 150,000 South Australians and Northern Territory every month – with one third of them being children.
Foodbank SA & NT now provides more than 10.5 million meals, through their warehouses in Edwardstown, Mount Gambier, Berri , Whyalla, Murray Bridge, Alice Springs and Northern Territory and Food Hubs in St Mary’s, Davoren Park, Woodville, Christies Beach, Murray Bridge, Alice Springs, Mount Gambier, Whyalla, Darwin and Ceduna and three Mobile Food Hubs to support outer-metro and regional communities. In addition, Foodbank supports to a network of more than 700 charities and supports more than 550 School Programs including School Breakfast Programs across the state.
For more details visit Foodbank SA’s website.
Cherry Auction
The market community has a long tradition of auctioning the first box of cherries of the SA Grown Season. In 2021 the annual auction returned to the South Australian Produce Market and over the years the funds raised from this auction have supported a variety of charities including:.
- 2020: $31,000 for Childhood Cancer Association – details here
- 2021: $50,000 for Camp Quality – details here.
- 2022: $50,000 for The Leukaemia Foundation – details here
- 2023: $60,000 for Variety SA – details here.
- 2024: $100,000 for Brain Tumour Research Foundation – details here.
Heartkids SA
Each year since 2022 the South Australian Produce Market hosts the annual Hero for Heartkids day. Additionally the charity is invited to our site each Christmas for a walk around with Santa at the market.
Details of our first event in 2022 can be found in the media release issued. Our generous community donated $8,000 that first year and continue to support the cause each year.
- 2022 June Hero for Heartkids Morning – $8,000
- 2022 December Xmas Walk Around – $3,000
- 2023 June Hero For Heartkids Morning – $3,000
- 2023 December Xmas Walk around – $3,300
- 2024 June Hero for Heartkids Morning – $6,000
- 2024 December Xmas Walk Around – $5,014
- 2025 June Hero for Heartkids Morning – $4,706
Rural Business Support
In 2023 the inaugural Government V Industry charity soccer matched was held to raise much needed funds for growers facing financial hardship. Much of the hardships had been caused through natural disasters – floods, fires, weather conditions or biosecurity issues – fruit fly, tomato virus – and this charity match is our way to give back.
In 2023 the two teams took to the grounds of Coopers Stadium – the home of Adelaide United Football Club – as a curtain raiser event to theMens A-League match.
The government team took the trophy in 2023 and 2024 and then in 2025 the Industry team “Pick a Local, Pick SA!” finally had a victory.
A big thank you to major contributors to this event Adelaide United Football Club, South Australian Produce Market, Bank SA, Foodland and Rural Business Support. Each player also brings in a corporate sponsor to hit the pitch and the generosity for this annual event has been overwhelming as we contribute to the Rural Business Support Relieve Fund who distribute the funds to those who need it the most.
Funds Raised to Date from the annual Charity Soccer Match.
- 2023 $155,000
- 2024 $63,000
- 2025 $173,000
You can find more details about Rural Business Support at their website here.
Childhood Cancer Association
The South Australian Produce Market has worked with the Childhood Cancer Association in South Australia and supports the work they do to help families here in South Australia.
In 2020 Childhood Cancer Association was the recipient of funds raised for our SA Strawberry Season Launch and of the 2020 Cherry Auction at the SA Produce Markets.
In 2021 the Childhood Cancer Association was the recipient of the $10,000 raised from the launch event of the 2021 South Australian Strawberry Season.
For more details please visit their website.
