The Report revealed that over 210,000 WA households now regard their housing as unaffordable – an astounding 91% increase since 2022.

For renters, only 39% consider their housing affordable; and for those with mortgages, 48% feel the same.

It’s not difficult to understand that the basic human right to secure and safe shelter is slipping further out of reach for many.

Beyond the soaring rents and unaffordable mortgages lies another, often hidden consequence – food stress. As more Western Australians struggle to afford a place to live, many are also being forced to make impossible choices between paying for housing or putting food on the table.

In July this year we experienced an 16% increase in our daily average customers (compared to last year), assisting an average of 833 households a day and had 19,148 customers through our network.

Shining a spotlight on our regional branches, we hear every day how our customers are in a truly tough spot.

In Geraldton, customers often talk of rentals simply not being available (particularly for families) and when they are, the costs are simply too high. It’s common to hear of families and friends all moving in together to save costs, meaning there are often 8-10 people living in a house. They sleep in caravans, tents and swags in the back yard while the kids all sleep together in the lounge room.

Early last month in Albany, our branch manager noticed a long-term customer loading her shopping into the car and happened to notice extra bedding and a suitcase in the back. On speaking to her, he found out she had recently got to the end of her rental lease which was not being renewed and there were little to no rentals available in the local market. Now her and her teenage son are sleeping in the car and at friends’ houses where they can. She works, her son goes to school and things look fairly normal to the outside world, but behind closed (car) doors they are really struggling and haven’t yet managed to get a place to rent that is within their budget.

Another customer in Albany in her 60’s is living in her car about 40 minutes out of town. She shops with the branch each fortnight. To help her out, the branch keeps aside and freezes any 10 litre water containers they can for her. This becomes her refrigeration and her drinking water between visits. When a local doctor donated a $100 fuel voucher to the branch and it was then gifted to the customer, she literally buckled to the floor in tears of disbelief that someone cared to make that much of a difference to her life.

It’s clear that those already doing it tough are more vulnerable to terrible outcomes when circumstances change. The things we take for granted are overwhelmingly life changing for those without a home and facing food stress.

We urge anyone who has found themselves in struggling to reach out and seek help before they are plunged into financial hardship. 

We couldn’t help but share this adorable thank you video from the students at Birlirr Ngawiyiwu Catholic School. The school are members of our School Breakfast Program, and they receive orders four times a year. The road between Halls Creek and the community (Tanami Road) is gravel and very corrugated, and it can take three hours to complete the 166km journey (and it gets worse in wet weather!)

Located in the Kimberley region, the Shire of Halls Creek is one of Australia’s iconic outback regions with a unique cultural and heritage environment. Predominantly Aboriginal populations live in a number of remote communities around the district and the town site of Halls Creek.

The Shire of Halls Creek covers 142,908 square kilometres of the Kimberley is located approximately 2,850 kilometres to the North East of Perth and 362 kilometres south of Kununurra. 

Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or just starting out, there’s a ride for everyone: 10km, 40km, 60km, 80km, or 100km. No matter the distance, every rider shares one goal – to make a difference.

This event, expertly managed by the Perth Integrated Events Team, raises vital funds and awareness for Foodbank WA and three other deserving charities. Every kilometre ridden helps us provide food relief to West Australians doing it tough.

Some ride in memory of loved ones. Others ride for the joy of giving back. But every pedal stroke sends a powerful message: hope can be built on two wheels.

Register now via Grassroots and ride for Foodbank WA. Your support helps us feed families across the state.

Not a cyclist? No problem! You can still be part of the day by volunteering to help with event operations. To get involved, email us at fundraising@foodbankwa.org.au.

This ride is more than a physical journey – it’s a reminder that strength is found in unity. Join us and be part of something meaningful. 

National Nutrition Week is an opportunity to raise awareness about the significance of good nutrition and its role in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

It encourages people to make informed food choices and adopt healthier eating habits. This week-long event is crucial in promoting the benefits of a balanced diet, which includes a variety of foods from all food groups, ensuring that we get the necessary nutrients our bodies need to function optimally.

We see food as more than just sustenance; it is essential to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, it is a way to bring people together and create lasting memories. National Nutrition Week celebrates the diverse ways in which food can connect us. Families can bond over preparing and sharing meals, communities can come together for food festivals and cooking classes, and organisations can host events that promote healthy eating. These activities not only foster a sense of community but also highlight the cultural significance of food and its role in our lives.

We are proud to have a team of nine nutritionists and dietitians working across our various nom! programs and in regional and remote Western Australia. Our nutritionists are dedicated to delivering our nom! nutrition education and cooking programs that promote healthy eating on any budget. Through our programs, we aim to improve people’s knowledge, skills and confidence to make nutritious food choices. Our efforts extend to thousands of students in schools across the state, where we support schools to provide students with a healthy start to their day through our School Breakfast Program.

National Nutrition Week is a time to celebrate the power of food to connect and nourish us. It is an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of good nutrition and the role it plays in our overall health. By coming together as families, communities, and organisations, we can promote healthier eating habits and create a supportive environment for everyone. We are committed to making a difference through our nutrition programs and the dedicated work of our nutritionists.

Let us all take this week to celebrate food and the positive impact it has on our lives.