EVERY fortnight Janette Fry fills her car with fruit and vegetables and hightails it 60 kilometres from her home near Kirup to Bunbury.
The retiree’s cargo is destined for Foodbank’s depot in Halifax.
Ms Fry has been doing this for over a year, collecting the good stuff from stores and residents from around her area and delivering them where they are needed most.
On an overcast Monday morning she shows off her haul for the trip – cauliflowers, apples, pears, strawberries, lettuces, beans – the produce fills every free space in her small car.
When asked why she does it, she shrugs – “this all would have gone to waste anyway.”
Ms Fry said the kudos should be going to the people who donate, not to her.
“I woke up this morning and these turnips were on my doorstep... every time I come Newy’s Vegie Patch in Kirup fill me up with their leftover fresh fruit and vegetables, it’s all them,” she said.
Her first haul was six tonnes of pumpkins, donated by her friend Tim “Porky” Lanyon, and destined for his pigs after being rejected by supermarkets due to surface blemishes.
This senseless waste was part of her motivation.
“I spent four years in Vietnam and saw people living on rubbish tips, people don’t have enough to eat there yet tonnes of this stuff is thrown out because no one wants it.”
Foodbank relies on humble volunteers and generous people like Ms Fry.
The organisation acts as a pantry to charities and community groups who feed the needy.
Administrative assistant Leonie Jane said Ms Fry’s work was invaluable for the depot.
“Getting fruit and vegetables is one of our main projects, the more fresh stuff we can get on the plates of those who need it most the better,” Ms Janes said.
If anyone wishes to give to Foodbank but is unable to deliver themselves they can contact delivery coordinator Ray Jordan on 0408 809 642.
