Mango growers get fancy for charity

Australian mango growers have traded in the flanno and Blunnies for something rather more high fashion to star in a new 2021 calendar that’s released today. The calendar, called “Australian Mangoes: This Season’s Must-Have”, features six mango growers from Giru, North Queensland, in looks that would usually be seen in the pages of Vogue magazine, not in the packing sheds of an Aussie mango farm.

Proceeds from the sales of the calendar will support the work of Foodbank Australia, ensuring that Aussie families in need get access to food and support this Christmas.

All in a day’s work

Alfio Pappalardo (Marathon Man Go) says that featuring in the high-fashion calendar was a vast contrast from the usual day’s work of picking and packing the season’s peak harvest.

“My wardrobe doesn’t usually go beyond a singlet, stubbies and gumboots,” he admits. “So I wasn’t one hundred percent sold on the idea. That’s until my wife got involved!

“After the photoshoot, I can easily say that being pampered with a makeover, getting dressed up and strutting down the runway between our mango trees was a lot of fun. And at the end of the day it was all for a great cause.”

Must-have mangoes

The Australian Mangoes calendar marks the start of summer and the peak of the mango season, with Aussies expected to indulge in close to 200 million of the tropical fruits.

Australian Mangoes spokesperson Matthew Dwyer says that Australian mango growers deserve to be celebrated for all the effort and hard work they put into growing the delicious fruit we look forward to each summer.

“Much like the fashion world, Australian mangoes are the season’s ‘must-have’ accessory,” he says. “Our hope is that the calendar will highlight the great people who work tirelessly to produce our favourite summer treat.”

Helping Aussies in need

The charity calendar is available just in time for Christmas. You can get your copy by visiting the Foodbank website. All proceeds will go to supporting their important work.

“After a challenging year for so many Australians, this is a fantastic initiative,” says Foodbank Australia CEO, Brianna Casey. “It not only celebrates our hard-working farmers; it also helps those in our own communities who need our help to put a meal on the table.

“Thank you to these wonderful mango farmers for taking the plunge and doing something that may be out of their comfort zone. All in the name of charity. And thanks to Australian Mangoes for taking on this fantastic initiative. Every dollar raised creates two meals. This is sure to help many Aussies at this time of year.”

Kensington Pride (also known as Bowen), Calypso, R2E2 and Honey Gold varieties are now fresh and in season. Keitt, Palmer and Kent varieties will be available from January.

Hort Innovation funded this project. To find out more, head to mangoes.net.au or follow Aussie Mangoes on Facebook and Instagram.