Hunger, a fact of life for too many in Australia

20 October 2021

Foodbank has revealed one in six Australian adults haven’t had enough to eat in the last year and, even more shockingly, 1.2 million children have gone hungry.

The Foodbank Hunger Report 2021, released today, shows that more than half of people impacted by severe food insecurity go a whole day every week without eating.

The report, now in its 10^th year, highlights that the pandemic continues to deliver challenges that are exacerbating pre-existing issues in our community. In addition to those who were already struggling before COVID-19, the pandemic has caused others to experience vulnerability for the first time. In fact, more than one in three of last year’s food insecure Australians (38%) had never been in that position before.

According to Foodbank Australia’s CEO, Brianna Casey: “This is especially disheartening in light of the gains made last year when the Federal Government’s Coronavirus Supplement was able to reduce poverty for so many.”

Ms Casey says the issue of food insecurity in Australia has never been more prominent than it is right now.

“The global pandemic has put a spotlight on the crisis that for too long has gone under society’s radar,” commented Ms Casey.

The report highlights that food insecurity is not restricted to the ‘obvious’ vulnerability groups in the community such as homeless people and the unemployed. It shows people of every age, living alone, in families and in groups are susceptible. Food insecurity is shown to affect people in cities right through to those in remote areas and surprisingly, it affects more people in some form of employment (64%) than those who have none.

“The key findings in this report are indeed confronting, but we can’t fix a problem we don’t understand or acknowledge. Although Foodbank is now providing food relief to a record one million people a month, we know many experiencing hardship feel there are others worse off and don’t ask for help. That is heartbreaking to know, and if there is one thing I can stress, it’s that there is no shame in asking for help, and in fact, it’s exactly what we’re here for. Life happens to us all, and we’re here for everyone,” said Ms Casey.

The Foodbank Hunger Report provides a snapshot of the prevalence and depth of the issues of food insecurity as well as insights into the day-to-day experience of people in our community who are doing it tough.

Read Foodbank Hunger Report 2021

Lockyer Valley Community Provides Vital Support To People In Need

Many Queenslanders are dealing with the anguish and despair of not knowing where their next meal will come from, with regional communities like Lockyer Valley having been hit hard by job losses, business closures and lockdowns.

However, the Lockyer Valley community are working together, from local breakfast clubs to bulk food donations, to ensure struggling families receive the support they need to get back on their feet.

The impacts of COVID-19 have placed extreme pressures on families, and with many children going to school without breakfast or lunch, Foodbank’s School Breakfast Program is vital.

In the Lockyer Valley Region, Foodbank Queensland currently provides fresh fruit, bread, milk and cereal to 10 schools.

*Picture: School Breakfast Program Volunteer, Jan, at Lockyer District State High School*

With the support of our local Member Charity, ADRA Lockyer Food Pantry Gatton, these schools can run breakfast clubs all year round to help ensure children receive the healthy breakfasts they need to grow, learn and thrive.

Doug Espie, Lockyer District State High School Chaplain said “Our school has been incredibly blessed by the work of Foodbank. Each week we provide breakfast for hundreds of students who may otherwise miss out. The need is significant, and the difference is tangible. We can’t thank you enough for the simple yet powerful difference that Foodbank has made to our school.”

Toasts on a tray being distributed

bread

Our mission is to make sure that all Queensland children, regardless of their circumstances, have an equal start in life. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, it sets children up to concentrate, learn and be at their best. That’s why Foodbank Queensland works closely with schools like Lockyer District State School to provide more than 3.3 million school breakfast meals across the state every year.

Foodbank Queensland is working tirelessly to get food out to schools and front-line charities across the state, but we couldn’t do it without the support of our generous Food Donors.

For over 10 years, local farmers from the Lockyer Valley Region have generously donated fresh fruit and vegetables, including lettuce, tomato, potato, pumpkin, garlic, cabbage, carrot, turnip, onion, and broccoli, to Foodbank Queensland to help people in need.

potatoes

lots of carrots

Bob McMillan, Foodbank Queensland Food Supply Manager, said Foodbank was proud to work with growers in the Lockyer Valley to rescue food, reduce waste and fight hunger.

“Since this time last year, our Food Donors in the Lockyer Valley region have donated enough food to help us distribute 578,000 meals to people in need across Queensland.

“With many growers across Queensland having been impacted by the events of last year, this is an incredibly generous donation that has gone a long way to helping Queenslanders in crisis,” Bob said

Together we can help our friends and neighbours who are struggling to make ends meet.

If  you’re in the food industry and are interested in becoming a food donor, please click here.

To learn more about Foodbank’s School Breakfast Program, click here.

Hands and Feet joins Foodbank in the fight against hunger in Brisbane

Hands and Feet is one of Foodbank Queensland’s 300 Member Charities providing essential groceries to support people in need.

After recently opening its first food relief service in Brisbane and partnering with Foodbank in March 2021, Hands and Feet is now helping approximately 90 people every week with free food and groceries and continues to expand its outreach to more communities across Brisbane.

Every week, Hands and Feet distributes food to local churches that offer food assistance from their premises. The churches choose a day and time that suits them best and arrange for a number of their volunteers to help distribute the food.

David Graham, Hands and Feet Brisbane Manager, said people in need were freely offered a small box or bag with a variety of food and essentials to take home.

“We help anyone that is doing it tough and needing some help to have something to eat,” David said.

“One Mum recently told us that she struggles to find sufficient nutritious food for her family of eight children and was incredibly grateful to have access to support on weeks when she couldn’t make ends meet.

“The food from Foodbank makes up between 65% and 70% of the food we are able to give out to help Queenslanders doing it tough.

“Thank you Foodbank Queensland for partnering with Hands and Feet and making it possible for us to support Queensland families that need help.”

If you are in a position to help Foodbank Queensland provide more food across the state to support Queenslanders in need, please consider joining the fight against hunger as a regular giver.

If you are a Queensland charity, Foodbank Queensland membership is a great way to support your food relief projects, offering your organisation a reliable source of food and groceries all year round.

Perri’s Story of Courage

How Perri and her husband Geoff went from a normal, comfortable life to needing food relief…

Perri is a qualified nurse. For 29 years she earned a comfortable living helping people in hospital. One day Perri stumbled at home, landed awkwardly, and broke her leg. Perri knew that she would be out of work for some time, but she could have never imagined it would be 18 months before she could walk again. The accident set in motion a catastrophic chain of events, and within three years, her kitchen cupboards were empty.

Perri’s husband, Geoff, was a truck driver, he did everything he could to look after Perri during her recovery. When Perri’s sick leave and annual leave ran out, she had no choice but to resign from her job. Geoff worked so hard to keep a roof over their heads – everything turned from bad to worse.

From hardship to hardship

Just when they thought their situation couldn’t get harder, Geoff suffered a debilitating stroke. Whilst he tried to carry on, they soon realised that the stroke had damaged Geoff’s cognitive abilities. Not wanting to be a danger to others, he had no choice but to hand in his keys. He’s never driven since.

And that’s how, in the space of just three years, Perri and Geoff went from being a comfortable, two-income family to a no-income family, relying on disability support that didn’t even cover their mortgage.

As their debts mounted, there was no way they could afford fresh vegetables or meat. For a while, they lived on just plain pasta and rice, sometimes going to bed without eating at all.

Hope for the future

Then Perri found out that a local charity, ADRA Community Care Centre, was distributing food and groceries from Foodbank Victoria. With a lot of courage, Perri decided to go to them for help, expecting just a bag of tins and to be sent on her way. But it wasn’t like that at all. Instead, she was greeted with a warm embrace, smiles and a cuppa.

“I felt as if I’d walked into a mini supermarket, there was so much choice. I couldn’t believe how much fresh food there was. I walked in there with an empty stomach, feeling ashamed and humiliated. But I left feeling as if my dignity had been restored. And that night my husband and I ate better than we had in months.”

Unfortunately, Perri is not alone in her struggle. Too many Victorians across our state are facing empty cupboards and have to turn to Foodbank for support.

You can help people like Perri by signing up to be a Hunger Fighter, to ensure that there will always be fresh, healthy food for those who need it most.

Danone’s Two Good yoghurt announces official partnership with Foodbank Australia

13th September: Danone, the leading global food and beverage company – manufacturer of Two Good yoghurt – has launched its partnership with Foodbank Australia, the country’s largest food and grocery relief organisation.

With the belief that everyone should have access to good food, Danone’s Two Good has teamed up with Foodbank to help reduce food waste and lend a hand to Aussies in need.

As part of Two Good’s new ‘Eat Good. Do Good’ campaign, Danone will be donating 10c from every 150g pot of the delicious, low-sugar yoghurt purchased between 13th September 2021 until 31st October 2021.

Xavier Gonzalez, Senior Brand Manager of Protein & Wellness said: “At Danone we strongly believe that everyone deserves access to good food and have been supporting Foodbank in their mission to help Aussies doing it tough – providing 24,000kgs in donations alone over the past year.

Two Good’s less excess focus (2g sugar, no artificial additives) and belief that good food should never go to waste, made it the perfect fit for a consumer facing partnership with Foodbank Australia.

Throughout this campaign, we’re using our brand platform to encourage people to ‘eat good and do good’ – for each delicious Two Good pot purchased $0.10 will be donated to Foodbank to support Aussies in need.”

With every $1 donated to Foodbank going towards two meals, our consumers will have the opportunity to make a tangible difference.

Just one 150g pot of Two Good’s delicious, low-sugar yoghurt each day throughout the month of October can provide six meals to Australians in need. By choosing Two Good, you’ll also be opting for a nutritious yoghurt without the excess sugar – helping your body eat good, while doing good”.

Media enquiries

Rebecca Collins
Foodbank Australia
M +61 409 786 132
E rebecca@foodbank.org.au

Nescafé Blend 43 to roast more than 12m cups of coffee for Foodbank

Nestlé’s iconic coffee brand Nescafé Blend 43 has announced a new partnership with Foodbank which will see 220,000 custom Foodbank Nescafé tins – or 12.5 million cups of coffee – distributed to people in need.

Manufactured in Gympie Queensland, the dedicated 100g tins of Nescafé Blend 43 will help ensure a sustainable supply of coffee to Foodbank across Australia from September 2021.

Foodbank Australia CEO, Brianna Casey, said that for many Australians faced with food insecurity, coffee can be one of the first items that they forego.

“Coffee is consistently one of the most in-demand items for our network of food relief charities across the country, as a humble cup of coffee can have far more benefits than a morning caffeine hit.

“We find that many of the people we support often become socially isolated. Having coffee in the cupboard can play a significant role in helping to keep people connected – and this collaboration will mean we can ensure a reliable supply,” said Ms Casey.

Nestlé General Manager of Beverages, Andrew McIver said, “We’re really proud to be able to work with Foodbank and manufacture a bespoke Nescafé Blend 43 product for Foodbank, made in Gympie Queensland”.

“We understand the simple pleasure that a cup of coffee can bring – one that many of us often take for granted – and we believe it’s something everyone should be able to enjoy.

“Nescafé has long been committed to helping bring people together. While that may not be possible for all Aussies to do right now, a hot cuppa can often be just the ticket to also take an important break – which is something many of us need now, more than ever.”

Media enquiries

Rebecca Collins
Foodbank Australia
M +61 409 786 132
E rebecca@foodbank.org.au

Nu-Pure Partners with Foodbank

September 2021

Foodbank is excited to announce their latest partnership with Nu-Pure Beverages.

Nu-Pure Beverages is a family-owned business that manufactures 100% Australian-made beverages. Founded in 2005, they are the experts in spring water. Nu-Pure water is sourced from specially selected pristine Australian springs and has a natural and nourishing balance of minerals.

Brianna Casey, CEO of Foodbank Australia said, “We are delighted to welcome Nu-Pure into the Foodbank family. Water is absolutely an essential item that we need to have available for people in times of crisis. It’s even more important during times of natural disaster, when people can be cut off from clean water entirely.”

COVID-19 and economic uncertainty have created new needs while putting enormous pressure on non-profit organisations. As a result, it has become increasingly crucial for Foodbank to have impactful partnerships like this one with Nu-Pure to help make a difference.

Most recently, Nu-Pure donated water to Foodbank Victoria to assist during the latest lockdown.

Barry Hamilton, Owner and Managing Director of Nu-Pure Beverages, said, “Donating water has been a great way for Nu-Pure to support Foodbank, have a meaningful impact and give back to the community. We look forward to continuing to work on this partnership.”

Together we hope to support more people in the community by providing

water for healthy, natural hydration.

Media enquiries

Rebecca Collins
Foodbank Australia
M +61 409 786 132
E rebecca@foodbank.org.au

Nescafé Blend 43 to roast more than 12 million cups of coffee for Foodbank

Manufactured in Gympie Queensland, the dedicated 100g tins of Nescafé Blend 43 will help ensure a reliable supply of coffee to Foodbank across Australia from September 2021.

Foodbank Australia CEO, Brianna Casey, said that for many Australians faced with food insecurity, coffee can be one of the first items that they forego.

Coffee is consistently one of the most in-demand items for our network of food relief charities across the country, as a humble cup of coffee can have far more benefits than a morning caffeine hit.

– Foodbank Australia CEO, Brianna Casey.

Nestlé General Manager of Beverages, Andrew McIver, said that Nestlé understands the significance of a cup of coffee and is proud to be working with Foodbank to create a bespoke product for vulnerable Australians.

“We’re really proud to be able to work with Foodbank and manufacture a bespoke Nescafé Blend 43 product for Foodbank. We understand the simple pleasure that a cup of coffee can bring – one that many of us often take for granted – and we believe it’s something everyone should be able to enjoy.” said Nestlé General Manager of Beverages, Andrew McIver.

Nescafé has long been committed to helping bring people together. While that may not be possible for all Aussies to do right now, a hot cuppa can often be just the ticket to also take an important break – which is something many of us need now, more than ever.

– Nestlé General Manager of Beverages, Andrew McIver

Foodbank’s in each state and territory have been working around the clock to ensure food and groceries continue to get to where they are needed the most.

9th September 2021

Over the past four months we have truly felt the impact of Delta. South Australia, Northern Territory and parts of Queensland were thrust into snap lockdowns, while ACT, Victoria and NSW continue to experience extended lockdowns with harsh restrictions.

Foodbank NSW & ACT reported an increase of more than 200% in the demand for food relief. They have received more than 20,000 requests for food hampers from international students since 6th July and more than 41,000 emergency relief hampers have been delivered throughout the state in the past 8-9 weeks thanks to the Resilience NSW, NSW police force, and help from NSW State Emergency Service and Australian Defence Force who stepped up to pack hampers at the warehouse.

Meanwhile in Victoria’s sixth lockdown, the team continue to work with the Australian Red Cross to distribute emergency relief hampers. Up until recently, Foodbank Victoria opened their warehouse doors on several occasions to offer a Covid-safe, drive-thru hamper collection. Unfortunately, during the last drive-thru on August 20th it was shut down by police 90 minutes into operations, due to overwhelming demand. The traffic queuing to enter the warehouse was banked up to the point it became a public safety issue. Despite 520 cars through and 1482 hampers distributed, there were nearly 1,000 cars turned away, signally the demand for food relief is only growing. The team are seeing the same demand its International Student Pop Up Store which is experiencing a 42% increase in students accessing the free food relief pop up in Melbourne.

Foodbank Australia is so grateful to all our supporters – our national donors and partners who stepped up and continue to offer support to ensure every community has access to emergency food relief now, and for as long as it is needed.

Interview with Mars Food Australia General Manager, Bill Heague.

In July, Foodbank launched its first Collaborative Supply Program featuring four different product item in partnership with Mars Food, a long-standing supporter of Foodbank nationally. We asked Mars Food Australia General Manager, Bill Heague, to share some more about the partnership.

Foodbank: Our partnership with Mars Food Australia is very important to us because of the crucial part you play in helping us end hunger in Australia. What does your partnership with Foodbank mean to Mars Food Australia?

Bill Heague: Mars Food Australia has a long-standing relationship Foodbank, and it’s one of which we are very proud. Mars is a company genuinely driven by purpose. We have a global commitment to deliver 25 million meals to people in need by 2025 and we are doing this through strategic partnerships, like the one we have with Foodbank in Australia.

Locally, our commitment translates to one million meals for Australians by the end of 2021. Foodbank is a crucial link to help us get food to people who need it the most – and this year our collaborative supply partnership alone will help us deliver 60 per cent of our goal.

FB: And what about the people who work at Mars Food Australia – why is the Foodbank partnership important to your Mars Associates?

BH: Mars is a family-owned business, and the culture of caring for one another is very strong. Our Associates understand the important role we can all play in helping people in need.

As part of our new collaborative supply partnership, we are donating our Associates’ labour and time on production lines to produce more than 175,000 jars and bottles of dinner food specifically for Foodbank.

The team is genuinely excited to see the products they make every day getting to people who need them most.

FB: Last month, we launched the first Foodbank Collaborative Supply Program featuring four different products from Mars Food Australia. Why did you decide to set up this Collaborative Supply Program?

BH: Foodbank has never been more important for Australians than it is right now. Foodbank is responsible for ensuring essential food relief is available despite the many lockdowns, border closures and panic buying.

On top of that, lost employment and the broader economic fallout from COVID-19 have generated a need to increase the quantity of food provided to Australians from all walks of life.

With the pandemic making food insecurity an even bigger issue over the past 18 months, we knew we could do more to help. So, we talked with Foodbank CEO, Brianna Casey, to find out what we could do.

One of Foodbank’s biggest challenges is the need for a consistent supply of food products. Enabling a steady, planned supply would help meet the huge logistical challenge Foodbank faces getting food to the hundreds of thousands of Australians doing it tough.

So, this year, we joined as a collaborative supply partner to help resolve what Brianna refers to as their food and grocery ‘surprise chain’ which is based on ad hoc donations and unpredictable food rescue opportunities. We wanted to help turn that into a predictable and reliable supply chain.

In addition to our new collaboration, we’ll also be continuing our usual monthly donations

Partnerships like this one between Foodbank and Mars Food Australia are vital in helping organisations like Foodbank meet this growing need.

FB: The Mars Food and Foodbank relationship is already setting the standard for food industry and charity collaborations. Do you have any ideas on how you would like to see the partnership develop in the future?

BH: We’re keen to keep this Collaborative Supply Program going for as long as it’s helping feed Australians in need. We’d also like to look at how we can grow our partnership with Foodbank and contribute further in coming years. Watch this space!