Their visit came at a time when demand was particularly high. In the lead-up to the festive season, hundreds of families rely on us to help put food on the table. With the shop buzzing as customers completed their last-minute Christmas shopping, the Governor saw firsthand the impact of the work our teams deliver every day.

The Governor and Mrs Dawson also arrived with a generous donation made possible by visitors to Government House — 316kg of essential food and supplies, providing the equivalent of 569 meals for people experiencing food insecurity.

This contribution made a real difference during a crucial time of year. We extend our sincere thanks to the Governor for his continued advocacy and support, helping more families enjoy the festive season with dignity, care and hope. 

We were proud to be part of Mission Australia’s Christmas Lunch in the Park again. For many, the festive season can be tough. Rising living costs and food insecurity mean some families and individuals face Christmas without a meal or company. That’s why this event matters.

Our team joined hundreds of volunteers to create a welcoming space for around 1,600 people on Christmas Day. Everyone shared a meal and felt part of a community.

Kate and Arnya led the CocoLoco ball-making squad, joined by friends from Government House and their nearest and dearest. It was wonderful to have a presence at an event that’s about more than food it’s about dignity and care.

Christmas Lunch in the Park reflects what we stand for: feeding, educating and advocating for those in need. Every plate served is a reminder that no one should go hungry, especially at Christmas.

We’re grateful to work alongside incredible partners and volunteers who make this day possible.

A big thank you to Kate, Arnya and Nicola for pulling the event together, as well as the Warehouse team who assisted with the goodies bags, and to everyone who helped bring it to life. Together, we’re making a difference for Western Australians who need it most.

At Superhero Foods HQ, you’ll find nutrition lesson plans to help kids understand the importance of healthy food choices, healthy recipes that are easy to make and taste great and fun activities designed to teach nutrition in an interactive way

Whether you’re a parent, teacher or carer, these resources are free and ready to use. They’re ideal for holiday projects, rainy-day activities or simply encouraging kids to explore healthy habits in a creative way.

Visit superherofoodshq.org.au today and discover how learning about food can be fun, colourful and inspiring. It’s a great tool to keep young minds active while promoting lifelong healthy habits. 

Through his school, Conor learned about the Citizenship Award and immediately knew he wanted to take part. He chose to focus his project on Foodbank WA.

The Citizenship Award gives Year 6 students in the Darling Range Learning Community the chance to show strong citizenship in one of three areas: self and family, school or community. Students select an area to create positive change, complete a small project and, by the end, make a meaningful difference while joining hundreds of past participants in this respected award.

Conor’s connection to Foodbank WA began during Covid. His parents saw a Facebook post about our branches running low on food because of panic buying. They decided to help, spending $20 at their local supermarket and delivering the food to our warehouse the next day. Since then, they’ve continued to support our Christmas appeals.

Conor also understands the importance of food on a personal level. He has a gastrostomy, a surgically inserted tube in his abdomen, and doesn’t eat like most people. This experience has given him and his family a deep appreciation of how vital food is.

Huge congratulations to Conor, who placed third in his school for his assignment, which you can see here.

Thank you to the Balfe family for raising awareness of food insecurity in our community. With young people like Conor, we know our cause will continue to be heard far and wide. 

Perishable foods like meat, dairy, cooked meals and fresh produce should be refrigerated as soon as you return home. If you are collecting food hampers or shopping on a hot day, bringing along a cooler bag, lunch cooler or insulated backpack can help protect your food in transit. Don’t worry if you don’t have freezer blocks. Frozen bottles of water or even a bag of frozen veggies will work just as well to keep your shopping cool on the way home.

A handy guide is the “2-hour, 4-hour rule”: 

• Food kept out at room temp for less than 2 hours is safe to eat and/or store for eating later.
• Food left out for more than 2 hours but less than four is safe to eat now, but shouldn’t be stored to eat another time (the increased bacteria in the food shouldn’t be given more time to grow to unsafe levels to be eaten on another occasion).
• Food left out at room temp for more than 4 hours is unsafe to eat and should be avoided.
• Room temperature is in the “temperature danger zone” of between 5-60*C, where bacteria thrive and multiply quickly and so food left out in the “danger zone” can actually cause food poisoning and make us ill.
• During summer the general heat means it might take less time than 2/4hours.

Another great tip is to keep your fridge temperature below 5°C. If your fridge struggles in the heat, try storing bottles of cold water inside to help stabilise the temperature. Also avoid overpacking, cold air needs room to circulate. In the freezer, keeping it full actually helps it stay colder and run more efficiently.

Leftovers are great for saving money and time, but please remember they must be cooled safely. Divide large meals (such as rice dishes or pasta) into smaller shallow containers so they cool down faster. Place them in the fridge once the steam has gone, not hours later.

In summer, smaller, more frequent shopping trips (if possible) can reduce the pressure on fridge space and help avoid spoilage. If you have access to a phone or computer, technology can help too; setting reminders to check fridge temperatures, planning meals around what needs to be used soon, or looking up safe storage tips is easier than ever.

By taking small steps to store and handle food safely, we can help keep our families healthy, make our groceries go further and reduce unnecessary waste, especially during the hottest months of the year. Staying food aware is a simple way to care for our households, our wallets and the environment. 

Did you know that Foodbank WA’s team of nutritionists has created a range of healthy, easy and delicious recipes? 

Each recipe includes stepbystep photos and simple instructions to make cooking enjoyable and achievable.

Here’s some ideas to get you started using food you may already have:

• Turning cooked veggies into fried rice, omelettes or frittatas.
• Using leftover roast chicken for wraps, mini pizzas or quesadillas.
• Mixing mashed potato into quick potato cakes.
• Transforming extra cooked pasta into salads or pasta bakes.

Where to Find More Recipe Inspiration

Try these great family-friendly recipe collections:

• Superhero Foods HQ
• nom!

Teaching kids to cook is an important life skill, so why not use the holidays to get into the kitchen?