It all began with a simple idea…

Jan didn’t want to spend money on another Kris Kringle gift that might go unused. Instead, she decided to buy a carton of UHT milk for Foodbank Peel. The joy and gratitude from our Peel branch sparked something in Jan – she realised how much this small gesture mattered. From that moment, she made it her mission to keep the milk flowing.

Jan’s creativity and determination have been inspiring. She started selling little plants and collecting Containers for Change, using every dollar to purchase more milk for families in need. Her efforts didn’t stop there. Last Easter, Jan teamed up with Megan to walk through Foodbank Peel, filming her story to share with friends at Inner Wheel. That video helped spread the word and brought even more support for her cause.

Thanks to Jan’s passion, many families have had access to a staple item many of us take for granted. Her story reminds us that even the smallest ideas can grow into something extraordinary when fuelled by kindness.

Thank you, Jan, for turning a humble Kris Kringle idea into a mission of love and generosity. Here’s to the next 200 cartons! 

The new branch will bring together food assistance with mental health and financial counselling, thanks to partnerships with Youth Focus and the Financial Wellbeing Collective. 

By co-locating these services, we’re making it easier for people to access practical help and the tools to rebuild their lives.

This project is possible because of incredible collaboration. The Government has contributed almost $5 million, including $1.5 million from Lotterywest, $1.4 million from the Department of Communities’ 2030 Fund and a newly announced $2 million State Government grant. Foodbank WA is investing $1 million, alongside generous support from corporate and philanthropic partners such as Minderoo (via Telethon), Stan Perron Charitable Foundation, Chris and Tia Ellison, Belarusian Association, Southern Ports and the Shire of Capel.

Last year, our Bunbury branch distributed over 647,000 kilos of food – the equivalent of more than 1.1 million meals – across the South West. Demand continues to grow as cost-of-living pressures hit hard. For many families, food insecurity isn’t just about hunger; it’s about the stress of choosing between paying bills and putting meals on the table.

Our new Foodbank Dalyellup will set a new benchmark for food relief in Western Australia. Located near public transport, it will offer dignity and choice for customers, reduce stigma and provide easy access to other wrap-around services. It’s a practical, people-first approach that reflects our purpose to feed, educate and advocate.

As we celebrate this exciting step forward, we invite the community to join us. Whether it’s donating, volunteering or spreading the word, your support helps us create a more food-secure Western Australia. Together, we can get food to those who need it most. 

The Serpentine Jarrahdale Community Resource Centre have linked several services together to best support their community. 

Their initiative has started a mobile library van where community members can browse, borrow and then return their favourite books. They also run an op shop which is now so popular it is open on four days a week.

The Centre also organises group classes for sewing, watercolour painting, tutoring programs as well as workshops for self-development. The on-site café, along with long table lunches – organised so that the community can meet each other and share a meal – rounds out the amazing service.   

Use-by or expiry dates are found on perishable items such as dairy products, meat and ready-to-eat salads. This date indicates the last day the product can be safely consumed. After the use-by date, the food may pose a health risk due to the potential growth of harmful bacteria. It’s important to follow these dates strictly to avoid foodborne illnesses. For example, milk or yogurt should be consumed by the use-by date to ensure it is safe to consume.

Best-before dates, on the other hand, are found on a wide range of packaged foods, including canned goods, pasta and snacks. This date refers to the period during which the food will be at its best quality in terms of taste, texture and nutritional value. Unlike use-by dates, best before dates are about quality rather than safety. Foods can still be consumed after the best before date, but they may not taste as good or have the same texture. For instance, a packet of biscuits might be a bit stale after the best before date and the nutritional content a little lower, but it is still safe to eat.

The primary difference between use-by and best-before dates lies in their implications for food safety and quality. Use-by dates are about safety, indicating when a product should no longer be consumed to avoid health risks. Best-before dates are about quality, suggesting when a product will start to lose its optimal taste and texture but can still be consumed safely.

At Foodbank we follow very strict guidelines around foods which have both use-by and best-before dates. Any product with a use-by date cannot be frozen and therefore have its life extended for any reason at all. Foods past their use-by date are generally unsafe to eat and cannot be legally sold even if frozen before that date but consumers can freeze prior to that date.

Some key points to consider when freezing foods at home are:

• Food must be frozen before it reaches its use-by date – we recommend to label your food with the date you placed it in the freezer
• Freeze the food as quickly as possible to maintain its quality.
• Store food in a freezer that is set to or below -18∘.
• You can freeze most foods, including raw and cooked meats, seafood and meals.

Don’t freeze foods past their use-by date as they are generally unsafe to eat and cannot be legally sold.  

Important considerations include that freezing stops bacterial growth but does not kill harmful bacteria, which will resume growth once the food is thawed, and food should always be thawed and reheated safely, following recommended guidelines.

Understanding the difference between use-by and best before dates helps in making informed food choices. Foods that have passed their best before date are still safe to eat and do not need to be thrown away, as this date relates to quality rather than safety. Always adhere to use-by dates to ensure safety. By using best before dates as a quality guide and use-by dates as a safety rule, we can enjoy food safely while reducing unnecessary food waste.

For years, food relief often meant pre-packed hampers filled with long-life staples. While these items are essential, they don’t always reflect what households truly need or want. 

Through customer surveys and conversations with our charity partners and customers we heard a clear message: people want the ability to choose. They want to shop for the foods they’ll actually use, just like they would have previously. 

Being able to visit us directly at our branches or Mobile Foodbanks makes this possible. Instead of receiving a set pack or bundle, households and agencies can select from a wide range of groceries and essentials. This simple change has a big impact. It reduces waste, improves dietary flexibility and creates a more typical shopping experience – something that matters when life feels anything but typical. 

To ensure we had a steady supply of key staples we started purchasing products like rice, pasta sauces, canned vegetables etc. Next year we will have an additional 20 items available.

Choice means better health outcomes and our expanding this range allows us to stock culturally appropriate foods, fresh produce and healthier options alongside everyday items like toothpaste, dishwashing liquid and laundry powder. It’s about making it easier for families to plan proper meals and maintain their household with dignity.

We’ve come a long way from a limited range of ambient staples. Today, our shelves include fresh fruit and vegetables – which are free for all customers – and a growing variety of pantry and hygiene products. This expansion is supported by strong partnerships with growers, manufacturers and donors who share our commitment to reducing food waste and feeding Western Australians doing it tough. 

That’s why we’re excited to announce a new, purpose-built Foodbank branch in Dalyellup Beach Estate, opening at the end of 2026.

This move isn’t just about more space; it’s about creating a hub that truly serves the community.

The new location will offer expanded storage for dry, chilled and frozen goods, better shopping experience for customers, improved access through public transport and allow us to provide more of a wrap-around service with organisations like the Financial Wellbeing Collective and Youth Focus in the same precinct.

For the first time in Western Australia, a Foodbank branch will sit adjacent to a residential area, making it easier for families to access help without the burden of long travel or fuel costs.

Thanks to the generous support of AJ Baker, we’ll continue operating in Bunbury until the new site is ready.

The Shire of Capel has been incredibly supportive, granting development approval, a major milestone in this journey.

We’re grateful for the South-West community that has stood by us for 20 years, including our amazing volunteers, some of whom have been with us since day one.

This new chapter is about more than bricks and mortar. It’s about hope, dignity, and making sure no one in our community goes hungry.