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!

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: 

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.

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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.

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.”

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. 

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Featuring our Community Partner, Carevan Blacktown

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 Carevan Blacktown, a Foodbank community partner based in Western Sydney, NSW.

Carevan Blacktown, founded by teachers at Norwest Christian and Tyndale Public School, emerged in response to the community’s need to address food waste and support people facing financial hardship.

Collaborating with teachers and tech groups, the charity began by repurposing excess food that would otherwise go to waste. Under the leadership of Andrew Scott, now the Chief Executive Officer, Carevan Blacktown has expanded its operations to include a dedicated kitchen team of volunteers and receives generous donations of food from individuals and organisations alike.

This growth transformed the charity from a small initiative into a vital community resource. Caroline Del Aguila, a registered nurse at Red Cross LifeBlood, met Andrew and learned of Carevan Blacktown in 2013. Inspired by the cause and Andrew’s dedication, Caroline joined the team, fuelling their mission to combat food waste and provide essential meals to those in need.

Carevan Blacktown has a firsthand view of the sharp rise in demand for food relief felt across Australia. They began by serving a handful of people and now serve 130-150 community members per night, with Andrew even personally delivering meals to those unable to travel.

People come to us to save money on meals and we’re finding the demographic changing as the cost living continues to rise.

 

And then there is the shame aspect of reaching out for help – our communities feel like they ‘should be able to help themselves’ but the reality is, average families aren’t able to make ends meet like they used to.”

 

– Caroline Del Aguila

Despite the charity facing financial constraints and volunteer shortages, Caroline and Andrew remain committed to expanding Carevan Blacktown’s reach.

Through partnerships with organisations like Foodbank NSW & ACT, Carevan Blacktown continues to provide nutritious meals and essential services to families in need.

We provide a range of services these days, but food supplies are at the core of our service and Foodbank are critical and incredibly valuable to what we do. The fresh produce they provide makes such a difference too”.

 

– Caroline Del Aguila

Carevan Blacktown continues to evolve to meet community’s needs, moving their operations to a warehouse to better facilitate food relief and collaborating with Westmead Hospital for health screening.

It can be hard work but is very rewarding. We are an amazing team, blessed with a terrific lead in Andrew and an awesome dedicated ‘family’ of volunteers who care about the community we serve.”

 

– Caroline Del Aguila

At Foodbank NSW & ACT, we rely on incredible organisations like Carevan Blacktown to get food relief to families in need. If you’re in the Western Sydney area needing food support, you can visit Carevan Blacktown at 1 Freeman Street, Lalor Park NSW 2147 on Tuesday nights from 7.15 pm – 8.30 pm. To learn more, visit their website carevanblacktown.org.au or contact info@carevanblacktown.org.au.

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

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The truth about canned foods

As the cost-of-living crisis continues, more and more people are forced to compromise on what and when they eat.

Across all communities but particularly in regional and remote towns where produce is more expensive than in metropolitan areas, many families now purchase canned foods over their fresh produce alternatives.

Canned foods often have a bad reputation, but did you know they can be just as nutritious as their fresh and frozen options, and at a more affordable price? Here’s the truth about canned foods.

Preserving nutrients

The environment

So, what’s the verdict?

Canned foods can form part of an affordable, healthy diet, offering families convenience, shelf stability and nutritional value. If you’re looking to try adding some more canned foods to your shopping list, a great place to start is with canned veggies, beans, fish and fruits.

For personal health advice on what is right for your family, please speak to your local GP.

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

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Meet the women fighting hunger with Foodbank

The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is Inspire Inclusion. At Foodbank NSW & ACT, we are committed to women’s inclusion and creating a sense of belonging and empowerment for everyone. Together, we strive to shape a supportive and inclusive  world for women.

This International Women’s Day, we’re highlighting just some of the women fighting hunger with Foodbank.

Meet Samantha Prescott, Chief Operating Officer at Foodbank NSW & ACT.

Meet Caroline, Secretary and Treasurer at Carevan Blacktown, Foodbank Community Partner.

Meet Rebecca White, Supply Chain Manager at Foodbank NSW & ACT.

Meet La E’e, HR Driver and Stephanie Lemaire, Forklift Driver at Foodbank NSW & ACT.

Stephanie has typically worked in male-dominated industries, often being the only female driver. But that has never stopped her!

Working at Foodbank NSW & ACT, Stephanie says she has never been treated differently or had any assumptions made based on her gender and ability to perform her role.

I wish more women would give it a go and break the stereotype!”

La began her Foodbank NSW & ACT journey driving our smaller vans to transport food and groceries but today is now one of our key HR Drivers, driving our Mitsubishi 10 pallet Pantech.

Today there are women driving double trailers, which is amazing!”

Meet Lyn Doull and Christine Uluirewa, Foodbank NSW & ACT Volunteers.

Lyn has been a dedicated volunteer at Foodbank NSW & ACT for the last four years. What keeps her coming back is the welcoming atmosphere and the chance to make a difference beyond herself. Her days are busy, stocking shelves for the Community Partners they support. But what she loves most is meeting people and hearing their stories.  

I look forward to my volunteer days and love seeing people of all ages and genders helping. For me, volunteering isn’t just a task; it’s a source of joy and fulfillment.”

Christine joined Foodbank NSW & ACT a few months ago and is already a key member of our volunteer team. Volunteering at Foodbank is not just a way to give back but also a source of pride for her. A memorable experience for Christine was volunteering at the Foodbank-supported Koori Knockout event. She embraced the opportunity, enjoying every moment of meeting new people and supporting the community.

Reflecting on her journey, Christine is struck by Foodbank’s impact in reducing food waste, something she witnessed firsthand in Fiji.  

I love that we make a difference in society – knowing we’re helping people in need who don’t have the resources.”

Click here to learn more about International Women’s Day.

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

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5 top tips to keep your produce fresh for longer

Did you know Australia sends 7.6 million tonnes of household and commercial food waste to landfills every year?

Food waste creates more emissions than the entire aviation industry! The good news is we can all make a big difference – not to mention save ourselves money and time.

Follow our 5 top tips to keep your fruit and vegetables fresh for longer.

1. Store your bananas and onions separately

There are certain fruits and vegetables like bananas, apples, onions, garlic and potatoes that emit a gas called ethylene that speeds the ripening process of other produce. Try storing these foods separately to extend their life and the life of your other fruit and vegetables.

2. Move ripe fruit to the fridge

Some fruits like peaches, mangoes and avocados are best left out on the kitchen bench so they can ripen. This can sometimes take a couple of days, but after they have ripened, they can quickly spoil. Avoid this by moving your ripe fruit to the fridge to slow the ripening – giving you a few extra days to enjoy your produce.

3. Keep your berries in jars

Give your berries a rinse and let them dry completely on a clean tea towel before storing them in clean jars in the fridge. Your berries must be completely dry before you move them into your jars as any moisture will speed the ripening process. This can take some time but is an easy process and is well worth it for delicious berries that last weeks!

4. Use a towel to keep your salad greens fresh

Keep your salad greens crisp and fresh by gently wrapping them in a clean tea towel and storing them in airtight storage containers in the fridge. Avoid packing your greens together too tightly, as that will cause them to bruise and spoil faster.

5. Freeze!

One of the best ways to hit pause on food spoilage is to freeze your ripe produce. This is perfectly suited to fruit and vegetables like bananas, diced celery, onions, carrots and capsicums, berries, and greens like spinach and kale. But remember – not everything freezes well so be sure to check before throwing it in the freezer.

There is enough food produced in the world to feed everyone, but the sad reality is that millions of people are still going hungry every day. That’s why, at Foodbank NSW & ACT, we’re committed to reducing food waste to get more food to people who need it most.

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

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“In the last year, 1.2 million households experienced food insecurity across our state and territory – over a third of all NSW & ACT households and 105,000 more than in 2022. The situation is worsening, but here in NSW & ACT, communities are also bracing for an imminent bushfire season, placing many of these already food insecure households in an incredibly vulnerable and frightening position.”

– John Robertson, CEO, Foodbank NSW & ACT

That is why we are advocating on behalf of our communities for the NSW Government to write us into the official state-wide emergency planning group to allow us to get vital food to disaster-stricken communities when they need it most.

And with your support, we can continue to deliver vital food on the ground to all communities through disaster and beyond. Thank you.

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