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30 Years
of Foodbank Queensland
1995–2025: Three decades, millions of meals, countless Queenslanders supported.
Foodbank Queensland was founded in 1995, with the vision of a Queensland without hunger. Today, we are the state’s largest and most trusted hunger relief charity. We provide food and groceries to more than 350 Community Partners and over 430 School Breakfast Programs each year to make sure no Queenslander experiences hunger.
Over the past 30 years, we have delivered more than 225 million kilograms of food to Queenslanders doing it tough. That’s over 400 million meals shared, millions of lives impacted and countless moments of relief.
30 Years of Serving Our Community
1995
Fortitude Valley Shed Opened
Foodbank is founded with a vision of a Queensland without hunger, operating from a small shed in Fortitude Valley. Founded by Clem Jones AO, Ian Brusasco AO and David Muir AM.
1996
Foodbank Australia Federation
In 1996, Foodbank Queensland joined with Foodbanks in New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia to create a national organisation. This united approach streamlined relationships with food donors and gave Foodbank a strong, collective voice to the Federal Government. Today, every state and territory is part of Foodbank’s national network, working together to fight hunger across Australia.
2000
First Food Distribution Centre Opened
Purpose built by the Queensland Government for Foodbank, this centre was originally built to distribute 1 million kilograms of food. A strong focus was placed on increasing the rescue of excess fruit and vegetables from Queensland farms. By the year 2000, over 150 charitable organisations were members of Foodbank, accessing food relief for their local communities.
2004
This year, Foodbank sourced 1.6 million kilograms of food, highlighting growing need within the community.
2005
School Breakfast Programs Begin
Ensuring children across Queensland start their day with a nutritious meal. In the first year, this program delivered breakfast to five schools and supported 1000 students a week.
2013
This year, Foodbank surpassed 10 million kilograms of food sourced, as operations continued to grow to meet rising community demand.
2021
During COVID-19
Foodbank Queensland opened a temporary response facility, packing 25,000 emergency hampers to support Queenslanders in need.
2023
Food for Kids Program launches, ensuring children have access to nourishing food during school holidays when School Breakfast Programs pause. Over 12,000 hampers distributed in the programs first year.
2024
Disaster Response and Recovery Program expands, with six pre-positioned supply hubs located across Queensland, enabling rapid food relief during floods and emergencies.
2025
New Distribution Centres open in Townsville and Brisbane
30 years in the making: To meet the growing need for food relief, Foodbank Queensland expanded operations, opening two additional Food Distribution Centres in 2025 – one in Brisbane and one in Townsville. This has increased Foodbank Queensland’s operational footprint from 1,800m2 to more than 5,000m2.
Stories of Impact from Our Supporters
Dennis
Foodbank Queensland Volunteer
For more than ten years, Dennis has been a dedicated volunteer at Foodbank Queensland, making a tangible difference in the lives of so many Queenslanders. With a compassionate heart, Dennis has been involved in community volunteering since the 1980s, always striving to give back to his community.
“It seems incredible that it’s been 10 years, I can’t believe that really. You know, time flies when you’re having fun. The fact that Foodbank does exist means a great deal because a lot of charities would really struggle to be able to help people without Foodbank.” says Dennis.
Peter Beattie
Former Premier of Queensland
“Foodbank has played a pivotal role in sustaining the lives of many Queenslanders in need. It has more than delivered on its original vision strongly supported by its founders such as Ian Brusasco, Clem Jones and David Muir. At the heart of Foodbank is a much needed generosity of spirit and giving to those in need. A debt of gratitude is owed to the long list of volunteers who have sustained Foodbank over the last 30 years. In particular, David Muir has worked tirelessly on behalf of Foodbank. David deserves our thanks and deep respect.”