AUSTRALIA | Over AUD $1 billion was spent on McDonald's Aussie shopping list during 2023, from meat, products and ingredients.
McDonald’s Australia has revealed its Aussie Shopping List from 2023 with the business purchasing over 330 million kilograms of local produce, products, and ingredients, resulting in a total spend of more than AUD $1 billion across the local supply chain.
Macca’s purchased an extra 29 million kilograms of Aussie items in 2023 when compared to 2022, driven by significant demand for Aussie beef from international McDonald’s restaurants and consistent purchasing of Aussie produce such as lettuce, potatoes, tomatoes and cucumbers.
Holding a weight six times heavier than the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the full local 2023 Shopping List included 150 million kilograms of Australian potatoes for iconic Fries and Hash Browns, 80 million kilograms of Aussie beef for much-loved Aussie Beef Burgers in Macca’s restaurants across Australia (36 million kgs), and 20 million kilograms of Aussie RSPCA-approved chicken for Chicken McNuggets and Burgers.
More than 52 million litres of fresh Australian milk for Sundaes, Shakes, Frappes and Coffees was used, as well as 21 million kilograms of Aussie wheat flour for Buns, Apple Pies and Tortilla Wraps, 1.8 million kilograms of Aussie cucumbers for Maccas’ signature Pickles, and 79 million cage-free Aussie eggs for McMuffins.
As far as produce was concerned, McDonald’s used 3.9 million kilograms of Aussie lettuce, 1.7 million kilograms of Aussie tomatoes, 1.2 million kilograms of Aussie onions, and 1.2 million kilograms of Australian apples for Apple Slices and Pies.
Tom Mahony, Senior Director of Supply Chain, at McDonald’s Australia, said the billion-dollar spend in the local supply chain underscored McDonald's Australia’s unwavering support of local farmers and suppliers.
“McDonald’s has proudly supported the local agricultural industry for more than 50 years, sourcing great quality produce, ingredients and products from suppliers and farmers located in every State and Territory. In 2023 alone, we served up approximately 49 million Big Mac burgers to customers across Australia, with each Big Mac featuring 100 percent Australian beef, lettuce, wheat flour, pickles and onions sourced from farmers across Australia,” said Mahony.
One of the dedicated farmers behind McDonald’s remarkable purchase of 3.9 million kilograms of lettuce in 2023 is Matt Vella, a third-generation lettuce grower from Camden, New South Wales.
“We’ve proudly partnered with McDonald’s for over a decade, supplying 3,000 kilograms of fresh, crisp iceberg lettuce each week, totalling more than 156,000 kilograms per year,” said Vella.
“Our lettuce is grown here in Camden and delivered fresh to McDonald’s supplier, Golden State Foods, who wash, slice and package up the lettuce to be delivered to restaurants in New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia.”
Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins said Australian farmers were responsible for growing the very best produce in the world.
“It’s great to see this quality is reflected in the Maccas’ local shopping list which will help to support Australian farmers. This will boost local economies across the country, supporting jobs and ensuring regional and rural Australia thrives.”
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