That’s EMZ Bite owner Emalee Turner on why she is joining hundreds of other eatery owners around Australia in the Parma for a Farmer campaign.

The Parma For A Farmer initiative has hotels, clubs, restaurants and eateries across Australia agreeing to give $1 for every parmigiana sold to the Buy a Bale Campaign.

The next time you’re tucking into that classic pub staple, you’re actually contributing towards meaningful drought relief for the farmers who likely had a hand in getting some of that food to your table.

Buy a Bale is supporting farmers and communities throughout regional Australia struggling in the current  drought. Currently 100 per cent of NSW is drought-declared, with south-west Queensland also affected by the crippling conditions.

Bega Valley eateries registered with Buy a Bale’s Parma for a Farma initiative include the Commercial Hotel in Bega; Coffee House Cafe, Bega; Club Sapphire; Fishpen Takeaway, Merimbula, Tura Beach Country Club and EMZ Bite at the Royal Willows Pambula.

“Coming from the Hunter Valley it is all dirt up there, I can see from Facebook posts of people I know they are really doing it tough,” Ms Turner said.

“I saw on Facebook people were doing Parma for a Farmer and I really wanted to sign up as well.”

At the Royal Willows, the bar, bottle shop and Foodworks are also taking donations via donation tins.

Buy a Bale is providing support for farmers by delivering hay and other essential items to farmers who have no feed left for their cattle.

Some hay is donated, some is purchased, so the campaign is also assisting hay farmers and their families. And while some truckies are donating their time and diesel, some loads are paid for with donations, so the campaign is also feeding truckies and their families.

What hay is delivered saves farmers cash that they can continue to spend on other items.