Disaster Response Update:

Northern NSW Floods

NSW Floods May 2025 1080x1350px

Those affected by the NSW floods, especially across the Mid North Coast, we are working hard to deliver emergency supplies and support as quickly as possible. However, widespread road closures are preventing deliveries to certain areas. We understand the challenges this brings and are coordinating with our transport providers to reach those in need as soon as conditions allow.

With record-breaking rainfall, hundreds of flood rescues, and thousands of people isolated, we are closely monitoring the situation and will provide updates as they become available.

Emergency Contact

For preparedness advice or general flood emergency information, contact the Public Information and Inquiry Centre (PIIC) at 1800 227 228.

Helpful Resources

Essential Apps to Stay Informed

Hazards Near Me – Real-time emergency alerts
Bureau of Meteorology – Weather warnings and forecasts
Emergency Plus – Location-based emergency assistance
Live Traffic NSW – Road closures and updates

Local Government Disaster Dashboards

Check your local council’s website for up-to-date information on hazards, road closures, and emergency services in your area.

Evacuation Centres

Find the latest information on evacuation centres and operating hours via NSW SES: Visit Here

School Closures

Stay informed about school closures due to flooding through the NSW Department of Education: View Updates

We stand with our communities during this difficult time and will continue providing support wherever possible. Stay safe.

Your community: the volunteers at the heart of fighting hunger

As you can imagine, sourcing and distributing food across NSW and the ACT to all who need it is no small feat. With your help, Foodbank’s team works together with the local community and volunteers – like Lyn and Christine – to pick, pack and get the food to where it’s needed most.

Four years. That’s how long I’ve been volunteering with Foodbank. It’s enjoyable, it’s a way to give back, and I like the atmosphere. You get to learn a lot about yourself and life, and I love meeting all the different people and hearing their stories. I look forward to my volunteer days because, for me, volunteering for Foodbank isn’t just a task, it’s a source of joy and fulfilment.”

– Lyn

Foodbank NSW & ACT volunteer - Lyn

I’ve been a volunteer at Foodbank for over a year now, picking and packing orders. I moved here from Fiji, and I have really enjoyed volunteering here, making a difference, and knowing I’m helping someone in need who doesn’t have the resources. For me, the best part is just the sense of doing something good, which then makes you feel good.”

– Christine

Foodbank NSW & ACT volunteer - Christine

If you’d like to give your time to help feed hungry families, you can find out more about becoming a volunteer by contacting Luke Chesworth, Volunteer Engagement Manager on 02 9756 3099 or emailing office@foodbanknsw.org.au.

Your kindness keeps pantry doors open

Rebecca* and her child

For a growing number of vulnerable families on reduced or low incomes, the rising cost of living has had a huge impact. It’s forcing families to go without and go hungry. Families just like Rebecca’s.

Since having surgery, Rebecca, her husband and their three young kids have found it hard to make ends meet – and eat.

It’s been a real struggle, trying to keep up with the rising costs of everything. Last year, we were going to the pantry once a fortnight, but this year, it’s once a week. We get fruit and veggies, meat and all the pantry stuff. It makes a huge difference.”

– Rebecca, regional mum

Your support is needed to keep over 710 community pantry doors open across NSW and ACT, so families like Rebecca’s can put food on the table.

Thanks to you, we’re popping up all over NSW and the ACT

Over the past 12 months, 1.14 million households across all regions of NSW and the ACT have struggled to put food on the table. But thanks to you, and our wonderful community partners, Foodbank is popping up where food is needed most:

Parkes Pop-Up

You helped to deliver and distribute 5,900kgs of fresh fruit and vegetables, and 200 loaves of bread, to families in need within the Parkes community.

Foodbank NSW & ACT team members at a Pop-Up

Maitland Pop-Up

Your support came together to provide 5,300kgs of fresh fruit, vegetables and pantry staples to those who needed it most in Maitland.

Foodbank NSW & ACT team members at a Pop-Up

You’re giving families like Mike’s the food they need to survive – and thrive

Your kindness has given Mike* and his family the food they need to fill their pantries and bellies. Thank you.

Like so many families in your community, Mike was struggling to keep up with the cost of living. But no matter how hard he worked, full time hours or more, eventually he found himself unable to pay the bills, to eat, to feed his three young kids, and stay healthy.

Mike's wife and his kids

That’s when Mike reached out to his local Foodbank pantry, and when life started to turn a corner for this hardworking regional dad and his family.

Mike shared with us,

Ever since we’ve gone to Foodbank, we’ve been able to feed our kids. I don’t want to think where we’d be if we didn’t have Foodbank.”

Your kind-hearted support for your community helps feed families just like Mike’s when they are in crisis, have nowhere else to turn, and have nothing more to eat. And, as Mike shares, that means everything.

Thank you for feeding our family – thank you for giving us the food we need to survive, stay healthy, and be happy. Without the food from Foodbank we wouldn’t be eating, our kids would get sick, and we’d be starving. So thank you.”

Thank you for giving hungry families like Mike’s in NSW and the ACT the food they need to fill their pantries and bellies.

Mike receiving food support

Thank you for feeding families in need

Welcome to another edition of ‘Feeding Hope’, filled with stories of your inspiring impact. You’ll see how your incredible support recently helped turn life around and put food in the cupboards for Mike, his partner Jenny and their three kids.

Mike and his family

You’ll find a snapshot of how your support is delivering food to even the furthest corners of NSW and the ACT.

In the last year, support like yours for the Pop-Up program has brought more than 100,000kgs of food to communities in need – which is the equivalent of over 180,000 meals. Delivered directly to those in need.

Your kindness is also providing a record number of non-food items to the community. Items like personal care items, pet food, baby care items and more to families doing it tough.

I can’t thank you enough for all the wonderful and life-changing ways you’re supporting struggling families during this incredibly difficult time. While I know there is still so much left to do to get to zero hunger, I know we will get there with people like you.

John Robertson, CEO, Foodbank NSW & ACT

The difference between use-by and best-before dates

How many times have you opened the fridge after a long week, only to notice that your well-intentioned grocery purchase has passed the date on the packaging, and you immediately throw it in the bin?

This is likely a scenario that plays out in thousands of homes across Australia every single day, but did you know that in doing this, you could be throwing out perfectly edible and nutritious foods?

The difference between use-by and best-before dates can be confusing. We’re here to debunk some common myths and share our top tips on how to safely prepare and store your food, reducing food waste and saving you money!

Best-before dates

Best-before dates reflects food quality. You can often eat foods after that date

Best-before dates indicate how long a food will last before it begins to lose quality. It does not mean you cannot eat the food after that! Best-before dates are often applied to packaged products, canned foods, produce and pasta. If stored properly, it will often be safe to eat for up to 12 months after the best-before date, though it may have lost some quality and nutritional value.

So, what’s the verdict? These foods aren’t dangerous to eat after their best-before date! Stop and check before you throw out that bag of pasta in the back of the pantry.

Did you know:

According to Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), ‘Food items are legally permitted to be sold after a Best Before Date and until they are no longer fit for human consumption’.

Use-by dates

Use-by dates reflects food safety. Do not eat foods after that date

Use-by dates on the other hand are foods that for health and safety reasons, should not be consumed after a certain date. These dates are applied to highly perishable foods like meat, dairy and other meals and cooked foods. You should not eat foods that have passed their use-by date even if they seem ok, as they may contain harmful bacteria, except for some foods that have been frozen before this date.

Foods with an expired use-by date are not legally permitted to be sold as they pose health risks to consumers.

So, what’s the verdict? Do not risk eating food that has passed its use-by date even if it looks and smells ok!

How reliable are these dates?

Food manufacturers will often choose best-before dates that are well before when the food will actually deteriorate and spoil. This is to encourage you to eat the foods while they are fresh and at their best, meaning you should consider this date as more of a guide. Often frozen and canned foods will keep their quality long after their best-before date, provided the foods smells and looks as expected, it should be safe to eat.

This is also dependent on how the foods have been stored, based on the directions on the product. For example, fresh milk must be refrigerated or will likely spoil and cannot be safely consumed regardless of its best-before date.

Keep an eye out for products with a use-by date. These should never be eaten after this date has passed!

Food preparation and storage tips

Wash your hands with soap under warm running water for at least 20 seconds. You should do this before handling food and if you pause to cough, eat, touch your hair, or do anything that could make your hands dirty again, wash your hands thoroughly before resuming food preparation.
Thoroughly rinse all fruit and vegetables before consuming to remove chemicals, bacteria and any residual soil or insects.
To help with correct food storage, ensure your fridge temperature is at least 5 °C or below. The freezer temperature should be below -15 °C. When food shopping, try and collect chilled or frozen food at the end of your trip and take them home to store in the fridge or freezer as quickly as possible. You could also use an insulated cooler bag or ice pack on hot days or longer trips.
Leftover food that has been cooked should not be left out to cool for more than one hour. As soon as it has cooled, store it in a suitable food-grade container in the fridge, ensuring that raw foods are placed on the lower shelves below the cooked leftovers to avoid contamination.
Use separate cutting boards and utensils when preparing raw foods, ensuring they are thoroughly washed and sanitised after each use.

Thank you for doing your part in reducing food waste. Click here to learn more about food safety.

If you or someone you know needs food support, please visit our Find Food portal so we can connect you to a Foodbank community partner in your area.

Featuring our Community Partner: Survivors R Us

At Foodbank NSW & ACT, we work with over 700 organisations located across the state and territory that we call our ‘Community Partners’. They vary from small, grassroots community groups to larger charitable organisations. Our Community Partners order and receive food directly from our warehouse in Western Sydney to distribute to local families in need.

This month, we’re featuring Survivors R Us (SRU), a Foodbank community partner based in Lake Macquarie, NSW.

Survivors R Us (SRU), founded in March of 2017, is a not-for-profit charity and benevolent institution that supports survivors of domestic violence, homelessness and unemployment.

Maria Martin, the founder of SRU, embarked on a mission born from her own experiences. Fifteen years ago, she found herself battling domestic violence while doing her best to provide for her daughter. The journey was filled with challenges, from securing affordable and nutritious meals, to finding shelter. Despite the hardships, Maria stayed resilient and determined.

Featuring the team at SRU

Driven by her mantra “give me a challenge and I’ll keep going”, Maria channelled her hardships into helping others in her community. She recognised the growing, critical need not just for food relief and shelter, but also for clothing and counselling. This realisation led to Maria establishing Survivors R Us, a safe and supportive haven for community members navigating domestic violence, homelessness and unemployment.

For the last seven years, Survivors R Us has collaborated with Foodbank NSW & ACT to provide essential items for the NSW central coast community.

Maria Martin at Foodbank NSW & ACT

The heart of Survivors R Us beats with over one hundred volunteers, dedicating countless hours to help alleviate the suffering of others. Maria and her team’s compassion extends to all those in need, regardless of their background supporting women, men and children alike.

The true reward lies in the smiles I witness and the hope we ignite every day. Survivors R Us isn’t just about survival; it’s about reclaiming lives and empowering individuals to find their light at the end of the tunnel.”

– Maria Martin

At Foodbank NSW & ACT, we rely on incredible organisations like Survivors R Us to get food relief to families in need. If you’re in the Lake Macquarie area needing food support, SRU are available Monday to Friday on (02) 4953 7108 or you can visit their website: survivorsrusincorporated.com/weeklyevents.

To connect to other Foodbank community partners in your area, please visit our Find Food portal.

4 quick and easy yogurt recipes

Our friends at Chobani and Woolworths have teamed up to introduce two new tubs of blended Strawberry and Passionfruit Greek yogurt!

Chobani yogurts

Every tub sold helps Foodbank provide 6 meals to Aussies in need. These flavours are available exclusively at Woolworth stores nationwide until September 2024.

To celebrate this vital collaboration, we‘re sharing 4 quick and easy yogurt recipes:

Passionfruit Frozen Yogurt Bark

Freeze a mixture of passionfruit yogurt and fresh fruit for a cool and tangy snack. Perfect for a quick treat!

Serves: 12 pieces

Ingredients:

2 cups Chobani Passionfruit Greek yogurt

1/2 cup fresh strawberries, sliced

1/3 cup fresh passionfruit pulp

2-3 chocolate chip cookies, crumbled

Method:

Line a baking tray with baking paper, then pour over the Chobani Passionfruit Greek yogurt and spread evenly. Sprinkle the remaining ingredients evenly over the yogurt.

Place the tray in the freezer until the yogurt is firm, about 3 hours. Cut into 12-15 pieces and enjoy cold. Store leftovers in the freezer.

Strawberry Greek Yogurt Smoothie

Blend juicy strawberries, creamy Greek yogurt, and a touch of honey for a refreshing and nutritious smoothie.

Serves: 1

Ingredients:

1 cup Chobani Strawberry Greek yogurt

1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries, sliced

1/2 tsp fresh lemon juice (optional)

1 tsp maple syrup or honey (optional)

Method:

Add ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth for about 30-60 seconds.

Serve immediately or store in an airtight container for 3-5 days in the fridge, shaking well before serving.

Strawberry Biscoff Overnight Weet-Bix

A delightful combination of fresh strawberries and the irresistible crunch of a Biscoff biscuit. Prepare it the night before for a hassle-free breakfast.

Serves: 1

Ingredients:

2 Weet-Bix, crushed

1 tbsp chia seeds

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 cup milk

2 tsp Biscoff spread

2/3 Cup Strawberry Chobani yogurt

1 Biscoff biscuit, crushed

3 Strawberries, sliced

Method:

Mix Weet-Bix, chia seeds, cinnamon, milk and Biscoff spread thoroughly and layer in a container. Then place Chobani yogurt, Biscoff biscuit and strawberries on top. Refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes or overnight. Enjoy!

Strawberry Greek Yogurt and Muesli Parfait

Layer your favourite muesli with creamy Greek yogurt and sweet strawberries for a wholesome and satisfying treat.

Serves: 1

Ingredients:

2/3 cup Chobani Strawberry Greek yogurt

1/4 cup fresh mixed berries, sliced

½ cup muesli of choice

Method:

Alternately layer yogurt and muesli in a bowl or glass and top with fresh berries. Enjoy!

Thank you to Chobani, Woolworths and our incredible community for supporting us on our mission to fight hunger.

With over 1.2 million households in NSW & the ACT alone experiencing food insecurity last year, campaigns like these play a crucial role in ensuring sustainable supplies of food and groceries for families facing tough times.

Our partnership with Foodbank is more than just a collaboration; it’s a friendship built on a shared mission to use food as a force for good.

We are always looking for new and innovative ways to support Foodbank and make a tangible impact. Through our close collaboration, Foodbank has highlighted the pressing need for fresh produce, and we’ve tailored this initiative to address this directly.”

– Tim Browne, GM ESG & General Counsel Chobani

Are you looking for more quick and easy yogurt recipes? Download our recipe cards for Greek Yogurt Waffles, Yogurt Jelly Slice and Passionfruit Yogurt Overnight Oats.

If you or someone you know needs support, please visit our Find Food portal to connect with a Foodbank community partner in your area.

Raising awareness one grain of rice at a time

Rice, bench presses and social media. Who knew putting these three together could lead to over 690 kilograms donated to fight hunger?

Over the last few months, local Sydneysider, Gunwoo Kim, aka “The Rice Guy”, has captivated the online world with a unique and charitable twist to a trending challenge that has gone viral.

The idea was simple: bench press 1 gram of rice for every follower Gunwoo accumulated.

Now with over 100,000 followers later and a staggering 9.5 million views on the top-performing video, Gunwoo is teaming up with local brands, influencers and his community to continue his unique challenge, donating the bench-pressed rice to Foodbank NSW & ACT to support families doing it tough.

Gunwoo Kim says,

I never anticipated the overwhelming response to the rice bench press challenge. Now that it has taken off, I want to use this platform to make a positive impact on the world. I’ve had the pleasure partnering with brands such as The Kimchi Company, Cuckoo Australia and many others keen to jump onboard to help with donating the rice lifted.

Also collaborating with influencers and these brands along side my platform allows us to turn the spotlight onto important social issues, such as hunger. The followers are essentially all part of this journey too as each follower accounts for an extra 1 gram of rice donation. In my perspective, the take-home message is that we all need to do our part.”

Gunwoo and two trolleys full of rice

Gunwoo donating rice to Foodbank NSW & ACT

Andy Moore, Foodbank NSW & ACT’s Marketing & Fundraising General Manager says,

It’s not every day we get to be part of something so uniquely impactful, and we’re grateful to Gunwoo for joining us in the fight against hunger and making a tangible difference to the lives of Australians going hungry every day.

Sadly, 1.2 million households experienced food insecurity in the last 12 months which is 37% of all NSW & ACT households and 105,000 more than in 2022 – something we’re absolutely committed to changing. It is through initiatives like this, and the generosity of our communities that we’re able to do something about that. With the support of people like Gunwoo, we’re able to distribute over 65,000 meals every day to Aussies doing it tough.”

World’s First Global Rice Bench

Gunwoo’s recent video saw his rice nation community joining in on the challenge from across the world in the World’s First Global Rice Bench.

From across Australia, Mexico, South Korea, Netherlands, the USA and more, his community came together in full force to show their support, raising awareness of the need for food relief, with every gram of rice lifted being matched and then donated to Foodbank NSW & ACT.

You can follow Gunwoo’s journey on Instagram @gunwoobench or at ricenation.co.

Connect with us on Instagram and Facebook for more exciting updates as this unique challenge continues to feed more hungry families doing it tough.

If you or someone you know needs support, please visit our Find Food portal to connect with a Foodbank community partner in your area.

Disaster Response Update:

Northern NSW Floods

Your community: the volunteers at the heart of fighting hunger

More from Feeding Hope: Spring 2024

A special message from John

You’re giving families like Mike’s the food they need to survive – and thrive.

Your support is popping up all over NSW and the ACT

Your kindness keeps community pantry doors open

Your kindness keeps pantry doors open

More from Feeding Hope: Spring 2024

A special message from John

You’re giving families like Mike’s the food they need to survive – and thrive

Your support is popping up all over NSW and the ACT

Your community: the volunteers at the heart of fighting hunger

Thanks to you, we’re popping up all over NSW and the ACT

Parkes Pop-Up

Maitland Pop-Up

More from Feeding Hope: Spring 2024

A special message from John

You’re giving families like Mike’s the food they need to survive – and thrive

Your kindness keeps community pantry doors open

Your community: the volunteers at the heart of fighting hunger

You’re giving families like Mike’s the food they need to survive – and thrive

More from Feeding Hope: Spring 2024

A special message from John

Your support is popping up all over NSW and the ACT

Your kindness keeps community pantry doors open

Your community: the volunteers at the heart of fighting hunger

Thank you for feeding families in need

More from Feeding Hope: Spring 2024

You’re giving families like Mike’s the food they need to survive

Your support is popping up all over NSW and the ACT

Your kindness keeps community pantry doors open

Your community: the volunteers at the heart of fighting hunger

The difference between use-by and best-before dates

Best-before dates

Did you know:

Use-by dates

How reliable are these dates?

Food preparation and storage tips

We’re here to help

More like this

The truth about canned foods

5 top tips to keep your produce fresh for longer

Your guide to packing school lunchboxes

Featuring our Community Partner: Survivors R Us

This month, we’re featuring Survivors R Us (SRU), a Foodbank community partner based in Lake Macquarie, NSW.

We’re here to help

More like this

Featuring our Community Partner: Carevan Blacktown

Your guide to packing school lunchboxes

4 quick and easy yogurt recipes

Our friends at Chobani and Woolworths have teamed up to introduce two new tubs of blended Strawberry and Passionfruit Greek yogurt!

To celebrate this vital collaboration, we‘re sharing 4 quick and easy yogurt recipes:

Passionfruit Frozen Yogurt Bark

Strawberry Greek Yogurt Smoothie

Strawberry Biscoff Overnight Weet-Bix

Strawberry Greek Yogurt and Muesli Parfait

Thank you to Chobani, Woolworths and our incredible community for supporting us on our mission to fight hunger.

Are you looking for more quick and easy yogurt recipes? Download our recipe cards for Greek Yogurt Waffles, Yogurt Jelly Slice and Passionfruit Yogurt Overnight Oats.

We’re here to help

More like this

The truth about canned foods

5 top tips to keep your produce fresh for longer

Your guide to packing school lunchboxes

Raising awareness one grain of rice at a time

Rice, bench presses and social media. Who knew putting these three together could lead to over 690 kilograms donated to fight hunger?

The idea was simple: bench press 1 gram of rice for every follower Gunwoo accumulated.

Gunwoo’s recent video saw his rice nation community joining in on the challenge from across the world in the World’s First Global Rice Bench.

We’re here to help

More like this

Featuring our Community Partner, Carevan Blacktown

The truth about canned foods

Your guide to packing school lunchboxes