ANZCO Foods CEO update - June 2022

Today the primary sector climate action partnership – He Waka Eke Noa – is recommending the Government introduces a farm-level split gas levy as the industry’s response to playing a fair part in meeting the country’s climate commitments. You can find out more about this report, what it’s likely to mean for the industry and next steps here: He Waka Eke Noa - Primary Sector Climate Action Partnership

There’s a lot going on in the farming landscape at the moment as we navigate through legislative and compliance changes, as well as achieving the He Waka Eke Noa goals to ensure all farmers know their greenhouse gas emission numbers and have a farm environmental plan. To support this important work, remember ANZCO Foods is offering the chance to win one of two Hilux utes when you sign up to NZFAP+, know your greenhouse gas numbers, and have an emission management plan. And, as an added bonus, any ANZCO Advantage members who sign up to NZFAP+ will get double points in 2022.

Farming is a job with lots of challenges; some specific to farming and some relate to the more generic demands of running your own business.

The other day I was asked by a farmer about our contribution to the wider industry and it got me thinking that we tend to get on and do things and sometimes don’t share with you what we’re doing to you support you and the rural communities in which we operate.

As a business, ANZCO Foods recognises farmers and their families are often dealing with a lot of ups and downs, so we are involved in a range initiatives that support farmers as well as helping to develop skills and resilience. ANZCO’s support includes donations to Farmstrong, the Rural Support Trust, Surfing for Farmers, and I am hope. There’s a lot of information to support farmer wellbeing and resilience on the Farmstrong website Resources - Farmstrong - Live Well Farm Well

ANZCO has two main national programmes it developed to support our rural communities, where we are often the largest employer.

Through our Sponsor a School programme, ANZCO donates money to rural schools nominated by farmers supplying bobbies and cull cows to ANZCO. Since 2011 ANZCO has donated more than $1.2m to rural schools. This is a company donation – there is no cost incurred by participating farmers. Last year we donated more than $106,000 to schools throughout New Zealand who use the donations for a range of things from sports equipment to in-class resources. The Sponsor a School programme is ANZCO’s way of thanking dairy farmers for choosing ANZCO and showing our support for local rural schools and communities.

Last year our Helping Make Ends Meat programme donated more than $100,000 worth of meat to foodbanks around the country.

In addition, we have purchased and are supporting the annual operating cost of a St John ambulance, which is currently servicing the rural Canterbury community and we have been long-time supporters of Mel Parsons and the Woolshed Tour.

We think these practical programmes are good ways to support you and our local communities.

Peter Conley
ANZCO Foods Chief Executive