The 2024 Foodbank Hunger Report shows close to700,000 Queenslanders are suffering through lack of healthy and nutritious food

Close to 700,000 Queensland households can’t put enough food on the table to stay healthy, happy and out of hunger.  

The Foodbank Hunger Report shows Queenslanders are feeling the bite when it comes to finding sufficient food to feed themselves and their families. 

Foodbank Queensland CEO Jess Watkinson said the Hunger Report findings showed a critical need for more to be done to alleviate food insecurity. 

“1 in 5 Queensland households skipped meals or scrimped on their serving sizes in the last 12 months because of severe food insecurity,” Ms Watkinson said. 

“Food insecurity is being felt more acutely in regional areas, with 36% of regional households facing food insecurity in the last 12 months, compared with 28% in metropolitan areas.” 

“Knowing where to find food relief support has increased from 36% last year to 47% this year. This is a glimmer of hope that those going without are finding out and accessing food relief; however, this shows that Foodbank Queensland’s role is more critical than ever.”  

Key Queensland statistics:  

  • Close to 700,000 Queensland households have experienced food insecurity in the last 12 months, meaning they aren’t eating quality, variety, or desirable food.  
  • 1 in 5 Queensland households have experienced severe food insecurity in the last 12 months, meaning they are reducing serving sizes of meals or skipping eating. 
  • Nearly half (44%) of Queensland’s low-income households (earning less than $30,000 per year) are experiencing food insecurity. 
  • Over 1 in 5 (22%) Queensland households with an income of more than $95,000 are food insecure. 
  • More than 1 in 4 (26%) of mortgage holders in Queensland experienced food insecurity in the last 12 months. 
  • Food insecurity is being felt more acutely in regional areas (36%) compared to metropolitan areas (28%).  
  • Awareness of food relief support in Queensland is growing with 47% of food insecure households knowing where to seek food relief support in the past 12 months compared to 36% in 2023. 

Amazon Teams Up with Australian Red Cross and Foodbank Queensland to Boost Disaster Preparedness Across Queensland

Queensland has received significant support for its disaster preparedness, with Amazon Australia launching a new network of six Disaster Relief Supply Points in Cairns, Wangetti, Townsville, Rockhampton, Dalby and St George. Developed in partnership with Foodbank Queensland and Australian Red Cross, these Disaster Relief Supply Points contain critical supplies that can be dispatched quickly to regional communities when a disaster hits.  

Queensland is Australia’s most disaster-prone state and has been hit by almost 100 natural disasters in the past decade1. From today, all six Disaster Relief Supply Points will be operational across Queensland, storing over 55,000 emergency items including toiletries, blankets, tarps, first aid kits and non-perishable food items. These items have been packed into kits by Amazon volunteers and pre-positioned ready for fast and efficient collection and distribution by various organisations, charities and local disaster groups. Distribution will vary dependent on the type of disaster and response required. 

Amazon Australia has worked closely with Foodbank Queensland to identify and engage partner organisations embedded in these local communities to store these supplies until they are needed.  The collaboration between organisations like Australian Red Cross and Foodbank Queensland supports the timely and efficient mobilisation of essential items to ensure the delivery of supplies to where they are needed most.  

Amazon uses its data expertise alongside insights from its non-profit partners to identify the relief items most commonly needed on the ground when a disaster strikes. Wherever possible, products have been sourced and purchased from Amazon Australia’s small and medium sized business selling partners including Nakie, Little Urchin, Bunji, Zenify, Joonya and Juuni. 

Items stored within the Disaster Relief Supply Points have been shipped to regional Queensland from Amazon Australia’s existing Disaster Relief network, located in Amazon’s fulfilment centres in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. The Amazon Disaster Relief network in Australia currently stores more than 250,000 emergency items. 

Amazon’s Community Lead, Charlotte Richardsonsaid: “Typically, Amazon Australia’s Disaster Relief network aims to provide emergency supplies to disaster zones within 72 hours, but this can be more challenging for regional and remote residents. By pre-positioning items within regional and remote communities, locals can rest assured the charities supporting them when disaster hits have much faster access to emergency supplies than if they were sent from Brisbane or Sydney.” 

Australian Red Cross Queensland Director, Collin Sivalingum said:“Our partnerships, such as the one we have with Amazon Australia, enable us to be there for everyone, always. Right now, as part of our seasonal preparedness activities, Australian Red Cross is working closely with local government authorities to build capacity in accessing essential items and support communities impacted by disasters. These new Amazon Australia Disaster Relief Supply Points, established across regional Queensland, will play a key role helping our collective efforts towards being there for Queenslanders during disasters at a time when they need us most.” 

Foodbank Queensland Chief Executive Officer, Jess Watkinson said: “Foodbank Queensland is incredibly thankful for our partnership with Amazon Australia, which allows us to locate supplies and be able to immediately support communities on the road to recovery. With the opening of these new locations across regional Queensland, we will be able to reach more people quickly in times of crisis and we are grateful to our partners across the state for providing the storage locations for these much-needed supplies.”   

Disaster Relief Hubs are a signature part of Amazon Australia’s local community relief efforts. Since the devastating 2019-20 bushfires, Amazon Australia has sourced and dispatched more than 700,000 relief items through 15 disasters including bushfires, floods, cyclones and COVID outbreaks.

Queensland Food Relief Providers Call for Minister for Food to Tackle Growing Food Insecurity Crisis

Foodbank Queensland has joined forces with leading charities OzHarvest, SecondBite and FareShare and to call for the establishment of a dedicated Minister for Food as the state grapples with an escalating food insecurity crisis. 

The move, which would be an Australian-first, aims to address the complex and mounting challenges facing the food system and ensure every Queenslander has access to safe, nutritious and culturally appropriate food. 

The collective efforts of Foodbank Queensland, OzHarvest, SecondBite and FareShare provide a lifeline to millions of Queenslanders, distributing more than 22 million kilograms of food and grocery relief each year, equivalent to a staggering 46 million meals.  

Yet the sector is struggling under an unprecedented surge in demand driven by the cost-of-living crisis and natural disasters. 

Foodbank Queensland Chief Executive Officer Jess Watkinson said a Minister for Food would provide the focus and coordination needed to ensure that food security is a top priority for the state government. 

“The number of Queenslanders struggling to put food on the table is reaching alarming levels – 1 in 5 households each year to be exact. We need a coordinated and strategic approach to address the root causes of food insecurity and build a more resilient food system for the future,” Ms Watkinson said. 

“This groundbreaking role would be an Australian first, demonstrating Queensland’s commitment to tackling food insecurity head-on. The Minister would oversee the development of a food relief strategy and investment plan, coordinate government responses and drive efforts to reduce food waste across the state. 

“A dedicated Minister would also be in line with recommendations from the House Standing Committee on Agriculture report Australian Food Story: Feeding the Nation and Beyond, which investigates Australia’s food security amidst challenges such as climate change, biosecurity threats and supply chain disruptions.” 

OzHarvest Queensland Manager, Michaela Windsor said urgent action was long overdue to address this ongoing issue in the state. 

“Nearly 70% of the charities we support say they desperately need more food to meet demand. There are so many new people seeking food relief for the first time in their lives – some have to line up for over two hours to receive fresh fruit and vegetables,” Ms Windsor said. 

“In a country that produces enough food to feed everyone, this should not be happening. Queensland has the opportunity to lead the way and tackle these issues head on with a Minister for Food.” 

The Queensland food relief sector has also called for the establishment of a food systems taskforce, to better ensure Queenslanders have access to healthy food in sufficient amounts, and the development of a food relief strategy and investment plan. 

“A thorough food relief plan is essential to help ensure the food relief sector remains adequately resourced for the short-term, while planning is undertaken for medium and long-term investment,” Ms Watkinson said. 

The food relief sector is urging all political parties to commit to these priorities in the lead-up to the state election so every Queenslander has access to the food they need to thrive. 

The Surprising Group Facing a Lack of Food in Australia

International students in Australia are increasingly facing shortages of fresh, healthy and nutritious food as they battle ongoing food insecurity, according to Allianz Partners. 

Statistics from Allianz Partner’s inaugural State of Student Healthcare Report reveal more than a third of international students in Australia can’t afford to eat fresh fruit and vegetables – despite contributing a whopping $34 billion into Australia’s economy each year. 

Allianz Partners Executive Head of Health, Miranda Fennell emphasised the importance of supporting the hundreds of thousands of people coming to Australia to study each year.  

“We know 74% of students are experiencing financial pressure. The rising cost of living can leave these bright minds, who contribute so much to our educational landscape, going hungry,” Ms Fennell said.  

“At Allianz Partners, we believe in fostering a strong and inclusive community and have a long history of supporting students in those moments that matter while studying in Australia,” Ms Fennell said.  

Allianz Partners partnered with Foodbank Australia, the nation’s largest food relief organisation, to tackle this issue.  

Foodbank Australia Chief Executive Officer Brianna Casey AM said Australia is a popular place to study but visiting students were facing mounting challenges as the cost of living continued to soar. 

“We know the number one reason Australian households struggled to meet their food needs is the cost of living crisis1, and it is no different for international students studying in this country,” Ms Casey said. 

“Many are a long way from home and don’t have that support network in place to ensure they have access to healthy food options on a regular basis. We know that many Australians who need help, aren’t seeking help, because they may be too embarrassed to reach out or they feel someone deserves it more,” Ms Casey said. 

In July, Allianz Partners and Foodbank Australia launched the first international student food market at UNSW, one of eight activations at university campuses across  

Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. The partnership will provide essential food supplies and raise awareness about the diverse faces of food insecurity. 

The markets will offer access to a variety of nutritious offerings including fresh fruit and vegetables and pantry products. Each student will be able to access a number of nutritious food products at no cost.  

By shining a light on the hidden struggle of international students facing food insecurity, Foodbank Australia and Allianz Partners hope to raise awareness about the diverse faces of food insecurity and encourage dialogue and support for international students. 

MARKET DATES AND LOCATIONS
August 27 – University of Queensland, St Lucia Campus, Brisbane 
September 12 – Holmesglen Institute, Chadstone Campus, Melbourne
October 3 – Monash University, Clayton Campus, Melbourne
October 10 – James Cook University, Townsville
October 23 – Australian National University, Acton Campus, Canberra  

Foodbank Queensland Funding to Help Queenslanders in Need

Foodbank Queensland, the state’s largest hunger relief charity, welcomes the Queensland Government’s recent budget announcement, which includes funding to increase essential food relief operations.  

The funding from the Queensland Government, announced in the State Budget, will contribute to the establishment of a second facility and a new regional distribution point. 

“We are thrilled that the Queensland Government has prioritised support for a second food distribution facility in Brisbane and a new distribution point in Townsville,” says Jess Watkinson, Chief Executive Officer of Foodbank Queensland. 

“This investment in expanding our facilities will enable us to assist more Queenslanders in need. The rising cost-of-living has significantly increased the number of Members, schools and communities requiring food relief.” 

Foodbank Queensland’s ability to provide more food to those in need is limited by the size of its current Food Distribution Centre. Built 28 years ago, the 1,800sqm facility initially distributed 1 million kilograms of food annually. Today, Foodbank Queensland distributes around 14 million kilograms of food each year, but due to the current facility size is simply unable to source and distribute more food.  

“Our highly efficient team has managed to operate within our small facility for some time, but with the growing needs of Queenslanders, we can no longer support everyone who requires help. This funding will enable us to expand across Queensland, allowing us to increase our distribution to 18 million kilograms of food per year once finalised,” says Jess Watkinson.  

This expansion will allow Foodbank Queensland to provide 32.4 million meals to Queenslanders in need each year. This includes School Breakfast Programs being provided to 400 schools, 16,000 Food for Kids hampers prepared for families in need, and 300 pallets of food and essentials delivered in response to Queensland disasters each year. 

“Amid the current cost-of-living crisis, the demand for food relief in Queensland has reached unprecedented levels. We are thrilled that the State Budget has prioritised support for food relief services, including our sector colleagues OzHarvest and SecondBite, and we know that Queenslanders in need will greatly benefit from this additional support,” says Jess Watkinson. 

The Miles Government’s State Budget has also allocated $15 million for the School and Community Food Relief Program. Foodbank Queensland looks forward to partnering with schools to enhance School Breakfast Programs, ensuring that Queensland children have access to a nutritious breakfast, giving them a strong start to the day.   

For further information on Foodbank Queensland’s food relief services, please visit www.foodbank.org.au/qld 

Allianz Partners teams up with Foodbank Australia to improve international students’ well being

Allianz Partners has partnered with Foodbank Australia to help alleviate the burden of financial hardship and food insecurity among international students studying in Australia. 

This year Allianz Partners and Foodbank will host seven market-style events on campuses across Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. The partnership will help more than 3,300 students this year, providing over $120,000 of food. At each event, international students will be given the opportunity to receive up to $50 worth of food, which could include items such as fresh fruit, vegetables, staples such as pasta and rice, and frozen nutritious ready-made meals. 

The partnership follows a report from Monash University (2023), highlighting the financial pressures faced by international students. The study reveals a concerning trend of financial strain, particularly in accessing nutritious food, leading to deteriorating mental and physical wellbeing across the nation. 

Miranda Fennell, Executive Head of Health and Foodbank Ambassador, said this partnership is a proactive step towards improving the wellbeing of international students studying in Australia, amid rising hardship.  

“The rising cost of living has led international students to rely on charitable organisations to meet their most basic needs, emphasising the need for further support,” Miranda Fennell said. 

“We want to ensure the wider international student community is receiving the support they need so they can focus on their education and fully experience living in Australia,” added Fennell.  

Foodbank Australia CEO, Brianna Casey said there is a reported1 correlation between hunger and concentration. 

“We know it becomes more difficult to concentrate and focus when you are hungry which ultimately affects the ability to learn. University is hard enough without having the added pressure of not knowing where your next meal is coming from. This partnership with Allianz Partners will enable many university students up and down the eastern seaboard to have access to nutritious food,” said Ms Casey.

This partnership also builds on Allianz Partners’ culture of assistance with employees getting regular hands-on volunteering opportunities at Foodbank Australia sites across Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland.

Foodbank Queensland Faces Perfect Storm as Demand Soars

Foodbank Queensland, the state’s largest hunger relief charity, is facing a perfect storm as the demand for food assistance skyrockets, while food donations plummet. This is placing immense strain on the charities’ ability to meet the needs of vulnerable communities across Queensland. 

 

Rising cost-of-living expenses has led to a surge in the number of individuals and families seeking essential food relief. At the same time, Foodbank Queensland is grappling with a decline in food donations, which is impacting their ability to provide crucial support to those in need. 

 

Farmers, who play a vital role in supplying excess stock to Foodbank Queensland, are dealing with their own financial pressures. As their costs escalate, farmers are finding themselves unable to contribute as much produce, impacting Foodbank Queensland’s ability to provide this fresh, nutritious food to Queenslanders facing hunger.  

 

“The current situation presents a perfect storm for food insecurity in Queensland,” says Jess Watkinson, Chief Executive Officer of Foodbank Queensland.  

 

“Last week we lost the support of Cross Family Farms due to the rising cost-of-living challenges. A generous farming family who supplied more than 1 million kilograms of farm fresh food to Foodbank Queensland per year. We are experiencing a significant increase in the number of Members, schools and communities who require food relief. However, the decline in food donations, particularly fresh produce from our generous Queensland farmers, is hampering our efforts to address this growing crisis.” 

 

Almost half of the food donated to Foodbank Queensland is fresh fruit and vegetables from Queensland farmers. Last financial year, Foodbank Queensland rescued $37 million worth of fresh produce, which was provided to thousands of families in need at no cost.  

 

Despite ongoing efforts to secure additional donations and support, Foodbank Queensland is struggling to provide enough food to the Members, schools and communities that rely on the essential food and grocery staples that Foodbank Queensland provides. 

 

“We urge individuals, business owners and community organisations to help at this critical time,” says Jess. 

 

“With their support, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who are facing hunger. Every contribution, whether a donation to Foodbank to help us source more food or a donation of food direct to your local charity, has the power to alleviate hunger and help those in need.” 

 

Foodbank Queensland is committed to recognising their valued food donors and are supporting a National Food Donation Tax Incentive that would encourage more food donations.  

 

“We support a new tax incentive for food donations to encourage food producers, manufacturers and retailers to donate more stock. The current tax regulation treats donating as no different to dumping,” says Jess. 

 

“A National Food Donation Tax Incentive would support primary producers and other service providers who are committed to the reduction of food waste and to supporting Queensland households experiencing food insecurity.” 

 

Foodbank Queensland remains committed to providing essential food relief to communities across the state.  

 

To support Queenslanders in need, please visit www.foodbank.org.au to donate directly, or, to find a local charity who accepts food donations by using the Foodbank “Find Food” map.  

CEQ and Foodbank Queensland announce strategic partnership to combat hunger in Far North Queensland

Remote store operator Community Enterprise Queensland (CEQ) and Foodbank Queensland (FBQ) have partnered to tackle food insecurity on Cape York Peninsula and in the Torres Strait. 

The joint Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) solidifies the commitment of both organisations to collaborate in achieving the shared goal of increasing food security and reducing hunger in the region. 

The first MoU initiative launched is the School Breakfast Program, which started in Term 1 this year and involves 14 remote Far North Queensland (FNQ) remote schools. 

The program provides breakfast to remote school students, aligning with CEQ’s Nutrition and Wellbeing Strategy 2023-2027 and Board commitment to support initiatives to improve nutrition and wellbeing in the communities it serves. 

Key objectives outlined in the MoU include: 

  • Collaboration: Both CEQ and FBQ will work together in identifying opportunities to collaborate and address food insecurity in FNQ. 
  • Recognition of food insecurity: Undertake joint advocacy to address needs of the remote communities, being access to healthy, nutritious food. 
  • Promotion of partnership and project: Increase awareness of CEQ and FBQ’s initiatives within the communities and promote to remote families. 

CEQ Chief Executive Officer Michael Dykes said the collaboration between CEQ and FBQ marked a significant step towards creating sustainable solutions in the region, with a shared commitment to alleviate hunger and promote food security. 

“The MoU is an exciting announcement and further reaffirms CEQ’s aim to support healthier, more sustainable communities,” he said. 

“We are excited about the collaborative potential that this partnership brings, with the School Breakfast Program the first joint initiative with Foodbank Queensland, with many more to come.  

“Through our ‘Good Pasin'(give back) program we cover the cost of freight from Cairns for the food provided by Foodbank Queensland, ensuring that nutritious breakfast products reach schools and communities throughout FNQ. 

“This aligns seamlessly with our Board’s broader mission to support wellbeing, health, and nutrition, and educate future generations, in the regions we serve.”  

Jess Watkinson, Chief Executive Officer of Foodbank Queensland, is excited to be working with CEQ to work towards addressing food insecurity in some remote communities.  

“Foodbank Queensland is honoured to join forces with CEQ in our shared commitment to address hunger and improve nutrition in Far North Queensland,” she said. 

“This strategic partnership allows us to leverage our strengths and resources to make a significant impact on the lives of children and young people, working towards a future where no one goes hungry. 

“The positive impact of School Breakfast Programs on school attendance, and improved learning outcomes are well known, as well as promoting healthy eating habits to students.” 

 

 

For more information on CEQ, visit www.ceqld.org.au 

For more information on Foodbank Queensland, visit www.foodbank.org.au and select Queensland