PRODUCERS are helping feed those down on their luck thanks to a new campaign, writes KIM WOODS

The thought of potatoes left on the ground to rot seemed like a terrible waste to Julie Greig.

At a time when so many families are struggling, Julie wanted to make use of farm produce rejected by supermarkets.

Three years ago she made the conversion from beef producer and grain grower at Ootha, in central NSW, to Uniting Church pastor at Hillston.

Located in the western Riverina, Hillston supports the state's biggest citrus and potato growers who are adept at hitting their target markets.

"But there is a whole lot of produce left on the ground because it is rejected by supermarkets for one reason or another," Julie said.

"I felt that was such a waste."

Julie relayed her thoughts to Carrathool Shire's Penny Davies, who began a hunt for an organisation to handle produce donated by the truckload. The pair settled on NSW Foodbank, which acts as a clearing house for other charities.

"They supply 450 charities and that fitted well with us, as 50 per cent of the food goes back out to country areas," Julie said.

Representatives from the Hillston Uniting Church, the NSW Department of Primary Industries and the Carrathool Shire flew to Sydney to check out Foodbank before making a com- mitment.

They named their local campaign Waste Not Want Not.

"Finding Foodbank was fantastic as the whole community had got behind us to send the food," Julie said.

A committee of 16 volunteers, including several farmers, spent two days canvassing growers for produce to donate a few months ago.

"More than 200 tonnes of produce has been donated and we will easily hit 500 tonnes," Julie said.

"This includes 1000 litres of olive oil."

The program has now expanded to Griffith.

"People are saying this is such a great idea, can we do this in our area?"

Semi-retired beef producer and grain grower John Sheridan was quick to volunteer, and is now the Waste Not Want Not grower liaison person.

"I was a bit sceptical and wary until I went to see Foodbank in Sydney," John said.

"That blew me away - I had no idea it was Australia-wide. I put the concept to local growers and they said it sounded terrific."

John is hoping in future growers can donate grain to Foodbank at receival sites by using their National Grower Registration card.

"This project has got everyone's imagination really firing," he said. "We are hoping it could snowball right across Australia."

Northern Citrus general manager Ken McDougall is donating three bins, or 1.2 tonnes of oranges a week, to the campaign.

The 404ha citrus orchard at Hillston boasts 290,000 orange, lemon and grapefruit trees, making it one of the biggest citrus farms in the state.

Ken said fruit classed as second grade was being donated to Waste Not Want Not.

"The oranges have a blemish on the skin, other than that they are internally perfect fruit," he said.

Around 20 per cent of the total crop this year will be classed as second grade due to the season.

"The best support we can give to people in need is food. It's fresh and healthy."

Aside from oranges, growers have donated potatoes, beetroot, pumpkins, onions, watermelons and olive oil.

Some of the cartage to Sydney has been donated, with the remainder paid for by Foodbank.

"I have had to quickly learn about fruit transport, the numbers in a box and the space on a truck," Julie said. "Some growers have their own trucks and have donated cartage."

Don Wood, a retired Department of Land and Water Conservation Service officer, volunteered his time to help growers harvest donated produce.

"There was not a single producer we approached who said they didn't want to participate," Don said.

Julie Greig said the drought's end had resulted in fewer calls for welfare in the Carathool shire.

"But in rural areas there will always be people who need," Julie said.

"I have been getting calls from aged pensioners in other parts of NSW wanting to know how they can get the fresh fruit."

In the early stages of the campaign, farmers donated 40 tonnes of potatoes, 50 pallets of oranges and 16 pallets of pumpkins.

"I have been blown away by how much support, enthusiasm shown by farmers and how the project has grown," Julie said.

According to a report by VicRelief Foodbank, an average of 15,804kg of extra food was needed each week to meet demand.

Last year, VicRelief Foodbank, FareShare and SecondBite donated a combined total of more than 4500 tonnes of fresh food and meals to Victorian community food programs.