Hundreds of additional farmers are set to benefit from the $1.5 million investment from Woolworths via Rural Aid’s Buy a Bale program, which provides support to farmers in need by delivering hay for cattle feed, as well as other essential items.

The support from Woolworths will also allow Rural Aid to increase the number of counsellors they have supporting farmers and their families impacted by mental health issues as a result of the drought.

Woolworths Group CEO Brad Banducci said Woolworths staff, particularly in NSW and Queensland, had experienced first hand the impact of the drought. 

“A number of our store teams are already engaged with Rural Aid at a local level and they will continue to work closely to support volunteering and further fundraising efforts for the organisation,” he said. 

“Rural Aid has worked tirelessly over the past few years to help farmers impacted by the drought.

“Our support will allow them to focus on increasing their delivery of much needed livestock feed to farmers and other essentials as the drought continues to cause widespread impact to many communities.

“Along with the financial commitment to Rural Aid we are also exploring ways our supply chain and logistics teams can support the organisation further.

Rural Aid CEO Charlies Adler said the organisation had received over 700 requests for assistance from farmers.

“We are truly grateful for the partnership and commitment from Woolworths,” he said. 

“This significant boost to funding will allow us at a minimum to double our current capacity to deliver essential supplies such as hay bales or food for families in farming communities impacted by the drought.

“The support of Woolworths will also help provide a boost to much needed mental health services to rural and regional communities via our counsellor program.

“Our farmers need face to face conversations, not over the phone or via sms, so having additional counsellors will allow us to build trust and respect through personal on farm visits.”