Pubs to dish up parmas for struggling farmers

A number of pubs and restaurants across Moreton Bay will be serving up plenty of delicious chicken parmas this month to help raise money for farmers doing it tough.

Building on the success of its first Parma for a Farmer campaign in 2018, the Endeavour Group, which oversees all ALH Hotels, has once again launched its Parma for a Farmer campaign this month, with $1 from every chicken parmigiana sold before February 26 to be donated to Rural Aid’s natural disaster relief efforts.

The first campaign raised $98,000 in the midst of the devastating drought that brough so many regional communities to their knees.

ALH Hotels Managing Director Mario Volpe is urging people to put the parma versus parmy debate aside this February and think of the farmers doing it tough.

“It’ll always be a parma for me, but it really doesn’t matter what you call it. Let’s put the parma versus parmy debate to one side this month and get behind this campaign to support our farmers,” Mario says.

“The chicken parmigiana remains our number one selling food item across all our hotels, and in any given month we sell tens of thousands of this pub menu staple.

“Our chicken parmigianas are made from almost entirely Australian ingredients, and we know how much our customers love coming to our hotels for a parma and a schooner with family and friends - but we hope this month we can encourage a few extra people in to support a good cause.

“Our hotels are at the heart of communities right across Australia, and we are pleased to be able to band together to run this campaign and support our farmers who work so hard to feed the country, even in the face of drought, fires, floods and cyclones.”

Head down to your local

Here in the Moreton Bay Region, there are 11 venues taking part in the Parma for a Farmer event including:

• Albany Creek Tavern
• Blue Pacific Hotel – Woorim
• Captain Cook Tavern – Kippa Ring
• Club Tavern – Caboolture
• Deception Bay Tavern
• Kallangur Tavern
• Lawnton Tavern
• North Lakes Tavern
• Petrie Hotel
• Four Mile Creek Hotel – Strathpine
• Warner Tavern

Deception Bay Venue Manager Scott Green (who is moving to Warner Tavern soon) says he is happy to support this worthy cause and is encouraging locals to head on down for a feed.

‘We would love for the community to come on board and supportive our local initiatives and fellow primary producers.”

How the money will help

Rural Aid CEO John Warlters welcomed back the highly successful Parma for a Farmer campaign.

“The Parma for a Farmer campaign during the recent drought helped Rural Aid to lend a helping hand to thousands of farmers at a time when they were doing it exceptionally tough,” John says.

“Now, many of our primary producers are facing a similarly challenging situation, only this time it is multiple floods not drought that have caused such widespread devastation.

“What better way to support farmers, who work against all odds to put food on our tables, than by ordering a delicious parma at the local watering hole.

“The money raised will go towards standing with our farmers in their moment of need, whether it’s through our financial assistance, free counselling, volunteering or water delivery programs.

“Rural Aid is so grateful for the support of ALH Hotels and its patrons.”