My Account
A rural telethon where farmers donate meat and milk for those in need will be live-streamed online on Thursday, December 14.
The Big Feed was first broadcast a year ago and managed to raise enough donated produce and cash to provide 1.2 million protein meals for foodbanks.
The telethon is the brainchild of Meat the Need, a charity founded by farmers Wayne Langford and Siobhan O’Malley three years ago during covid, to connect the dots between farmers who wanted to donate some of what they produced to families in need.
Langford co-presented the first Big Feed last year with TV presenter turned farmer and mental health advocate Matt Chisholm and both are returning to host again this year. They will be joined by former boxer Dave Letele, who is now a community leader and runs a foodbank in South Auckland.
Langford, who was recently elected national president of Federated Farmers, said The Big Feed was more important than ever at the moment, not only to help foodbanks and their clients, but farmers themselves.
“The cost of living crisis is placing huge pressure on people, families and foodbanks throughout New Zealand and the demand for Meat the Need services has increased massively,” he said.
“It’s also really tough on farm at the moment – more than 50 per cent of dairy farmers are making losses, and the same in sheep and beef.
“It’s been a bloody tough year for everyone and we want to shine a light on all the positive stories and things that are going on in the food and fibre sectors, so that everyone can reflect and end the year on a high.”
He said they aimed to do that with a mix of fun, humour and banter interspersed with wacky challenges and competitions in the Lincoln University studio. There will also be panel discussions, interviews with celebrities and special guests, and live crosses from across the country.
“Last year, I finished the event with no hair, and Matt was forced into shaving off his famous moustache, so we’re both looking forward to what’s in store this year,” Langford said.
“This isn’t just about farmers giving back, we want the whole country to get in behind The Big Feed and ensure those in need have access to quality protein. Together we can put food on the table and help fill empty bellies.
“Christmas is a tough time of the year for many people and our indications show that this year, there will be more people feeling the pinch. It’s a great opportunity to come together as a community, make a difference and give back to those who are struggling right now,” he added.
The Big Feed can be watched on Meat The Need’s website or YouTube channel from 6am to 8pm on December 14. Farmers can pledge to donate livestock (sheep, beef and deer) or milk online through the Meat The Need website, while anyone else can donate cash through the website, by calling 0800 632884 on the day, or texting 3493 to donate $3. All donations will be donated to foodbanks.
Info and donations: Go to www.meattheneed.org.
Meat to Maungaturoto
A local foodbank that has been benefiting from Meat the Need is the one run by Otamatea Community Services in Maungaturoto, which services the Kaipara south as far as Kaiwaka and Mangawhai.
Foodbank manager Angela Watts said they received regular deliveries of quality mince from Meat the Need, something that was appreciated at a time when demand was growing all the time.
“It’s fantastic, we’re extremely grateful,” she said. “People I’ve talked to who’ve used it have said it’s lovely mince. It really does meet the need.”
It was only by chance that Watts heard about Meat the Need, when her rural postie, who is also a dairy farmer, mentioned the scheme to her early last year. However, as soon as Watts contacted the organisation, Otamatea Community Services was added to their recipient list. Watts added that she hoped all foodbanks in the region could make use of the scheme.
