#parma4afarma raising funds for Buy a Bale campaign to aid drought-hit farmers

[Ulquiorra]

THE simplest ideas are often the best. When HWY hotel marketing manager Christine McAuliffe spotted a Facebook page called Parma for a Farmer she knew that the Anzac Highway pub should get involved.

Parma for a Farmer makes donating to drought-affected farmers easy. Order a parmigiana at a registered pub, cafe or restaurant and a dollar goes to the Buy a Bale campaign, which delivers free bales of hay to farmers in need right across Australia.

Buy a Bale has just committed to using all SA funds raised to help SA farmers in need.

“As soon as I saw it I mentioned it to my venue manager and he said ‘that’s fantastic, let’s not do $1 for each parmi, let’s do $5’,” Mrs McAuliffe said.

“We always try to use local produce and support our local farmers. We’re a local, family-owned business so we want to support those who support us.”

Onion and carrot farmer James Smith from Bowhill said the campaign raised awareness among people in Adelaide and other cities about the plight of drought-hit farmers.

“I think this is a great idea,” the 29-year-old said.

“A lot of places are getting onboard, which is great, and $5 bucks from every parmi here is amazing – very generous,” he said.

Charles Alder, CEO of Buy a Bale, described the success of Parma for a Farmer as “phenomenal”. And he’s full of praise for Bendigo cake-maker Amanda Kinross, who saw images on TV of farmers doing it tough and dreamt up the Parma for a Farmer concept.

“Amanda came up with the original idea and said ‘I’m fundraising for you guys, here’s an idea and here’s what can you do with it.’

“Now, you can go to the pub and buy a parmi or you can go online and buy a bale – which is what people are doing in their hundreds every day at the moment. It’s $20 to buy a small bale, $100 for a large. And we deliver those bales free to farmers.”

Alder said that Buy a Bale has had over 1000 farmers in an emergency situation contact them this year.

“And that number’s growing at 50 a day. Demand has gone crazy,” he said.

“But on the supply side, the number of corporates and fundraising events, and just how Australian communities in the cities are feeling some of the pain and anguish of our farmers – it’s never been like this before.

“The current peak of interest from the city to the bush is brought out through the simplicity of this campaign. I think the parmigiana is probably second only to the meat pie as a favourite Aussie meal – in front of fish ’n’ chips. I think it’s quirky and fantastic.”

Campaign founder Ms Kinross says she estimates the campaign now has over 1000 venues.

The HWY is serving up chicken and beef parmis, with $5 from each one sold going to Buy a Bale. Their Parma for a Farmer campaign runs from Aug 12-19, but check the hashtag #parma4afarma for pubs, restaurants, cafes and retailers who are joining the campaign throughout August.