Silver Fern Farms (SFF) is asking suppliers if they are keen to help the Otago Rugby Football Union if it avoids liquidation today.
Chief executive Keith Cooper said about 9000 suppliers throughout New Zealand were informally canvassed by email this week.
Support would be voluntary, with SFF willing to "facilitate" those wanting to help.
For the offer to be "meaningful", Mr Cooper envisaged a total of $75,000 to $100,000 annually, for three years.
SFF would put a formal proposal to about 18,000 suppliers if the idea progressed to the next stage. Options outlined included having regular deductions based on stock kills, or giving a fixed annual amount.
