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More middle-income earners are struggling to put food on the table than ever before – as Foodbank NSW & ACT shines a light on the cost-of-living crisis ahead of World Hunger Day
Media Release
The cost-of-living crisis is impacting Australians now more than ever, with fuel prices on the rise and interest rates continuing to increase, people are being forced to make impossible choices between paying for essentials like fuel and rent or putting food on the table.
As the largest and most trusted food relief charity in the state and territory, Foodbank NSW & ACT knows hunger stretches far and wide, and impacts people from all walks of life.
The organisation has already seen a sharp increase in the proportion of middle-income households in NSW and the ACT who have experienced food insecurity, now 40%, compared to 32% only three years ago – and demand for their services continues to grow.
As the official charity partner for Vivid Sydney 2026, Foodbank NSW & ACT is shining a light on the scale of this crisis and calling for support to help the organisation go where hunger is ahead of World Hunger Day tomorrow (Thursday 28 May 2026).
Recent data from the Foodbank Hunger Report shows one in three households, equal to 1.1 million across NSW and the ACT, are struggling to put food on the table. Sadly, of those, 682,000 households experience the most severe form of food insecurity, regularly skipping meals and sometimes going entire days without eating.
Even households earning $91,000 or more aren’t immune, with almost one in five in NSW and the ACT knowing all too well what it’s like to worry about being able to put food on the table. Half of renters and 28% of mortgage holders in the state and territory have struggled to feed their families, and there has been a significant increase in households citing “changes in my household/living arrangements” as a reason for their food insecurity.
That’s why Foodbank NSW & ACT has partnered with Vivid Sydney in 2026 – to put the scale of this crisis in the spotlight and break down the stigma around food insecurity.
The organisation has installed one of their iconic purple Foodbank trucks at the light festival, bringing their work to life in the form of an immersive truck-packing game experience.
“We’re proud and excited to be the official Charity Partner of Vivid Sydney 2026, giving Foodbank NSW & ACT the opportunity to shine a light on hunger at Australia’s largest event,
“Right now, one in three households across NSW and the ACT are experiencing some form of food insecurity – a statistic that many Australians are all too familiar with, including those visiting Vivid Sydney this year.
“That’s why Foodbank NSW & ACT is here at Vivid Sydney 2026 – to put the scale of this crisis in the spotlight and invite thousands of people to be part of the solution at this free and inclusive event.
“Our immersive truck-packing game shows just how much food relief is needed and how quickly it needs to get there, every single day. And while the game might end, our work to get food out to those who need it doesn’t stop,
“We urge everyone attending this year’s event to stand with us, so that together, we can go where hunger is.”
John Robertson
CEO, Foodbank NSW & ACT
John Robertson, CEO of Foodbank NSW & ACT, said the activation emphasises the real scale of the food insecurity crisis across NSW and the ACT, and invites those visiting to be part of the solution.
Foodbank NSW & ACT works tirelessly to get food out to those who need it every day. Each year, their fleet travels more than 250,000km to deliver vital food relief to communities across the state and territory. Vivid Sydney Festival Director, Brett Sheehy AO, said he was “delighted” to be partnering with Foodbank NSW & ACT as the event’s Charity Partner in 2026.
“While Vivid Sydney is best known for bringing people together through creativity and shared experiences, it’s equally important that we use our platform to support the community,”
“We’re proud to work alongside Foodbank NSW & ACT and use the scale of the festival to foster equity and inclusion, support this vital work, and help ensure no one in our community is left behind.”
Brett Sheehy AO
Director, Vivid Sydney Festival
Every dollar donated through the Vivid Sydney ticketing platform helps keep Foodbank NSW & ACT’s trucks on the road and allows them to provide two meals to someone in need. Donate today at foodbank.org.au.
As the cost-of-living crisis hits Australians harder than ever, Foodbank NSW & ACT is calling on the support of those who can help.
To support Foodbank NSW & ACT, visit the Donate Now page below.
If you or someone you know needs food assistance, please visit the Find Food Assistance page below and look for the ‘Find Food’ button.
Dan Elsom
Communications Manager
For all state media enquiries
M: 0439 425 176
E: daniel.elsom@foodbanknsw.org.au
