Robbie is going solo, so Western Australians do not go hungry

At Foodbank WA we believe everyone should have access to healthy food. 

Yet every day there are Western Australians going without. 

Last financial year we provided over 9.3 million meals to people in need through our charity partners and schools, but the demand for food relief remains high. That is why support from our community and champions like Robbie Bonsall matters so much.

A swimmer with purpose

Robbie is an elite Perth based swimmer who competes internationally for Bahrain. He has been swimming competitively since he was 9 and has already achieved impressive results, including 12th in the 10 km Hong Kong World Cup and 2nd overall in the 10 km at the Australian National Open Water Championships. Last year he was part of the winning team in the Rottnest Channel Swim.

This year Robbie is taking on his biggest challenge yet. He is entering Champions of the Channel and tackling the Rottnest Channel Swim solo for the first time. To prepare, he trains 9 swim sessions and 2 gym sessions each week. It is a huge physical and mental test, and he wants it to mean something for people doing it tough.


Why Robbie is swimming for Foodbank WA

For Robbie, this swim is about more than the finish line. He has always wanted to help those in need and believes every Australian should have access to basic necessities like food. He believes no one should go hungry. We share that belief.

We provide food and groceries to people who struggle to afford them. We deliver nutrition education and advocate for those who experience hunger and food insecurity. More than 353,000 Western Australians are going without regular meals. It should not be this way. Support from people like Robbie helps us reach more families, more individuals and more communities that need a hand.


Turn Robbie’s determination into real impact

Robbie is using his solo crossing to raise funds for Foodbank WA through his personal social media and a dedicated fundraising page. Every dollar raised will help us provide more nutritious food to people who are doing it tough.

You can turn his training and determination into real impact.

Donate to Robbie’s fundraiser today and help us provide more meals for Western Australians in need.

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Chrissie Swan’s Pumpkin & Goat’s Cheese Tart

“There is a saying that speaks to my soul on an almost cellular level: ‘If in doubt, add a mountain of garlic.’ But also: ‘Food is love made visible.’ Five words. All the feels,” writes Foodbank Victoria ambassador Chrissie Swan.

And that’s what we get from you: the feels. Without your kindness, we couldn’t do what we do. So here’s a small something for you: dinner on us. Here’s an idea for tea tonight from Chrissie’s new cookbook The Shortcut Queen, packed with veg and cheesy goodness. Enjoy!

Ingredients

    Serves 6-8
  • 20 g butter
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus a little extra to drizzle
  • 2 rosemary sprigs
  • 3 large red onions, sliced
  • 2 teaspoons brown sugar
  • 800 g kent pumpkin, peeled and cubed
  • 200 g marinated goat’s cheese
  • rocket leaves, to serve
  • balsamic glaze, to serve
SOUR CREAM PASTRY
  • 250 g very cold salted butter, chopped into small pieces
  • 300 g (2 cups) plain flour
  • good pinch of sea salt flakes (I like it salty!)
  • 150 g sour cream

  • This recipe is from The Shortcut Queen by Chrissie Swan, published by Plum, photography by Mark Roper.

Method

To make the sour cream pastry, throw the butter, flour and salt into a food processor fitted with the blade attachment. (Actually, that’s what I’ve always used but maybe it should be the plastic one? Anyway, I digress…) Now you just pulse, pulse, pulse (like with shortbread) until it looks like sand. Add the sour cream and pulse again until it starts to gather together into a ball-type scenario. Seriously, this is all that’s required!

As soon as it’s rolling around all together, take the dough out and, even though you’re desperate to bake it, you must wrap it in plastic wrap and pop it in the fridge for a full hour. (I have been known to expedite this process – because I’m greedy – by putting it in the freezer for 20–30 minutes.)

Meanwhile, heat the butter and 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Throw in the rosemary sprigs, then turn the heat way down to low and add the onion with a good pinch of salt. Cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent anything from catching. Don’t be tempted to turn the heat up as you don’t want the onion to burn. Add the sugar and cook for a further 5–7 minutes or until caramelised. Set aside.

Preheat the oven to 200°C fan-forced. Toss the pumpkin with the remaining oil on a baking tray and season with salt. Roast for 20 minutes or until just tender. Set aside.

Take your pastry out of the fridge and throw some flour onto a work surface. Sprinkle some more flour on the pastry and roll it out to a large rectangle with a thickness of about 5 mm. Transfer it to a 26 cm x 38cm baking tray. Prick the pastry with a fork and bake for 10 minutes.

Take the pastry out of the oven and layer your tart in this order: caramelised onion, roast pumpkin and goat’s cheese. Bake for a further 20 minutes. Pile high with rocket, a good squirt of balsamic glaze and a little extra olive to drizzle.

HEAVEN!

Every $1 donated is
2 meals created

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5 MILLION meals – thanks to YOU!

Victorians really are the MOST generous people on earth – helping us raise over 5,000,000 meals in our Christmas Appeal!

Tilly arrived at one of Foodbank’s free community Christmas lunches at the Morwell Community Food Centre with mum and dad and showed us how the most simple and beautiful gesture can change someone’s day. Can lift people up and get them through a not-so-great week, month or year. Thanks Tilly…you’re amazing 😊 

Meanwhile in Melbourne, our farmers style markets gave 500 hard-working families the chance to fill their baskets and bags with more than 8,000 kilos of fresh produce and essential ingredients while the bluesy sounds of our live band brought smiles to all those tired faces.

We know how much your support meant to all those families and market visitors… because they told us!

“I’ve been coming to Foodbank for a couple of years, and it’s been a real help. I struggled to afford food and basic things. Foodbank has been such a blessing — I’m really glad it’s here.”

Kathy

“Sometimes I’m short of food, and this organisation has always been kind and gentle when I need help. I’m happy to be here.”

“I used to be a chef. I can cook from almost anything — even flour, I can make fresh pasta. My spaghetti marinara? No one makes it like I do.”

Francisco

“I’m out of work, so I pay the bills before I buy food. There’s often nothing left.”

“We skip meals. Holidays? No money. No plans.”

Doug

“Whatever we have, I try to make work — baking bread, Vegemite scrolls, anything. I sit and think about what we can make just so we can eat.”

“Without this help, it’s really hard. Everything’s so expensive. I just try to make things that will fill us up.”

Jillian

“I’ve been through domestic violence, and this support has meant so much. The food is amazing, and I’m really grateful for all the help.”

Kelly

“After my husband’s work accident, we hit hard times. Without this support, it would be that choice — food on the table or the lights on.”

“The help here has been incredible. When we’re back on our feet, I hope I can give back.”

Tania

Every $1 donated is 2 meals created

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When fires change everything –  Leanne’s long road to recovery

In the days and weeks after the fires began, we’ve witnessed first-hand incredible acts of kindness, of people coming together to support each other through extraordinary hardship… like you always do.

Leanne and her husband had a dream — to retire to the country and spend their days enjoying the quiet beauty of rural Carlisle. But things have been tougher than they ever expected. As pensioners, they worked hard to build up their six acre property and care for their livestock, which helped feed both them and their extended family. To make ends meet, they began accessing their local foodbank to supplement their meals. “That market day saves me and my husband. I often forgo feeding us to feed my animals.”

Then, just last weekend, fire arrived at their back door. Leanne was evacuated with their dogs and cat, while her husband stayed behind to look after the other animals. This is where we met her at the Colac Showgrounds in the emergency relief centre. She was staying in a caravan.

After evacuations, Leanne says it’s the recovery that’s hardest: “The evacuation is a lot, but then you have to go back and sort everything out.”

This is why we need to be there for the long term, to support people like Leanne and her husband not just in the moment of crisis, but also through the long road to recovery.

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December donations bring hope and joy

December was a month of generosity that helped us keep shelves stocked and smiles on faces. 

McLoughlin Butchers delivered festive cheer just in time for Christmas with 251kg of leg hams, then followed up with another 890kg after the holidays. 

These donations meant families could enjoy a special meal during a time that matters most. 

We also welcomed Noumi as a new local donor who provided two donations totaling an incredible 25,946kg of dairy and non-dairy UHT milks, including oat, coconut, macadamia and soy. While Noumi might not be a household name, their brands Milk Lab, Australia’s Own and So Natural certainly are. Noumi also made the single largest food donation for the month at 15,359kg – a game changer for us.

Eggs were back on the shelves after a long shortage. December saw big contributions:

  • CF Farms, another new local donor, gave 3,896kg of fresh eggs.
  • Golden Egg Farms added 8,320kg.

And because we know pets are family too, 4,278kg of pet food arrived to help customers care for their furry friends.

These incredible donations remind us what community spirit looks like. Every kilogram makes a difference, and together we’re feeding those who need it most across Western Australia. 

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Behind the scenes how we keep WA families fed 

Our food sourcing professionals play a crucial role in keeping our shelves stocked with fresh, nutritious, high-quality food.

Thanks to their hard work behind the scenes, we’re able to meet community needs with reliability and dignity. 

Recently, our Food Sourcing Extraordinaires Angela Tarbottom (Food Sourcing Coordinator – Agri/Fresh) and Darren Molen (Food Sourcing Manager) have been out and about, attending key industry events to build relationships, secure supplies, and ensure families across Western Australia have access to the food they need, when they need it most.

Meet the Buyer™ 2025, was a high-energy event that brought together more than 620 attendees – including 200 exhibitor reps and 400 delegates. The room was buzzing with tastings, conversations and networking. The event was a fantastic opportunity to connect with both emerging producers and established brands, many of whom are already valued donors. We’re thrilled to share that we received 400kg of food donations from the event. Thank you, Meet the Buyer™!


The WA Horticulture Update 2025, held at Mandoon Estate was another great event for us. This year’s theme, Growing WA: Fresh Food and Sustainable Futures, focused on building a more sustainable and resilient food system through innovation and collaboration.

The event brought together growers, researchers, and industry leaders to explore how Western Australia can lead the way in sustainable horticulture and export-ready excellence. We were proud to host a trade stand and engage in meaningful conversations that sparked new ideas and strengthened connections.

Image of man in kitchen with text overlayed saying 3.4 million households in Australia are food insecure

By actively participating in these events, we are strengthening supply chains and building vital relationships across the food, horticulture, and cold chain sectors. Their efforts help ensure that families across WA have reliable access to fresh, high-quality food, delivered with dignity. 

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Pumpkins help to deliver comfort and care 

Following a recent trip to the Coral Coast, our wonderful friends from Carnarvon Growers have generously donated several bins of fresh pumpkins.

In December alone, we received 1,168kg of both Butternut pumpkins and the Kent variety. 

This incredible gesture means more Western Australians can enjoy nutritious meals made with locally grown produce. 

Pumpkins are a versatile staple that can be transformed into a dish for any season; roasted for a delicious base for a summer salad, a hearty soup or a tasty curry.

Every bin donated helps us provide healthy options for families doing it tough.

Partnerships like this show the power of community. By working together, we can make a real difference for people facing food insecurity by providing comfort and care. A huge thank you to Carnarvon Growers for their ongoing support and commitment to helping us feed and nourish those in need. 

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Creating a stronger, food-secure Western Australia 

Last financial year, Foodbank WA provided 9.3 million meals to Western Australians doing it tough.

Every meal represents hope, dignity and relief for families facing the rising cost of living. 

Our School Breakfast Program continued to make a real difference in classrooms across the state. We supported 552 schools, helping serve a healthy breakfast to around 27,330 students every week. A full tummy means a focused mind, and thanks to our partners and volunteers, thousands of children started their day ready to learn.

Transport shouldn’t be a barrier to accessing food. That’s why our Mobile Foodbank visited 52 locations, delivering more than 617,000 meals to regional and metro communities. From Leonora to Serpentine Jarrahdale, we worked hard to ensure no one was left behind.

December was a standout month for generosity, with food donations reaching 495,294 kg, and our total for 2025 climbing to 5,777,511 kg – up 973,017 kg or 20.3% compared to the same period last year. 

We were humbled by incredible support from our donors. Weekly protein donations from Inghams, DBC, Westpork, Harvey Beef, Craig Mostyn Group and Austral Fisheries helped us launch our first Protein Supply Program. These partners not only donate generously but also offer reduced rates for additional stock when available.

Fresh produce was equally important, especially considering our customers access fruit and vegetables for free. The amazing people at Costa Group kept our customers stocked with quality mushrooms; Beta Spuds supplied the much-loved dinner staple, and towards the end of the year, LJM Produce donated 12,420 x 1kg bags of carrots.

Regular donations of eggs and bananas from our valued partners ensured customers had access to nutritious options that might otherwise feel like a luxury.

Together, we’re creating a more food-secure Western Australia. Thank you to everyone who helped make this possible. 

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Foodbank brings flavour, fun, and community spirit to the Hyde Park Festival 

The Hyde Park Festival is a beloved celebration of community, connection, and culture.

Every year, thousands of families from across Perth gather under the shady trees of Hyde Park to enjoy two vibrant days of live entertainment, bustling market stalls, delicious food and activities for all ages – all completely free to attend. 

As one of Perth’s longest-running free community events, the festival is powered by the generosity of local organisations, sponsors and volunteers who help keep it accessible for everyone. This year we are proud to once again be part of this tradition, joining a lineup that includes 50 food stalls, 200 market stalls, carnival rides, live entertainment and plenty of family friendly fun.

Foodbank will be right in the heart of it. Our stall will be buzzing with activity as we serve up tasty samples of our nom! recipe Choc Amazeballs and freshly made Coco Loco Balls. But it’s not just about the treats. The little ones can enjoy temporary tattoos and fun activities focused on healthy eating, giving families a chance to learn more about nutritious choices in an engaging, handson way.

The Hyde Park Festival truly embodies the spirit of community and our involvement isn’t possible without our incredible volunteers. If you would like to volunteer to help us at the event, email fundraising@foodbankwa.org.au

Foodbank is proud to be part of such an uplifting weekend and we can’t wait to be there!

Event details:

  • Sunday 1 March – 10.00am to 7.00pm 
  • Monday 2 March – 10.00am to 5.00pm  

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How our School Breakfast Program is fuelling learning across Western Australia 

We believe every child deserves the chance to start their school day with a full tummy and energy ready to learn. 

Every school day, thousands of children across Western Australia start the day with a nutritious breakfast thanks to our School Breakfast Program. It supports students who may otherwise arrive at school hungry, helping to level the playing field so all students can begin their day ready to learn. 

This simple start to the day has ripple effects.

Teachers tell us they see calmer classrooms, better concentration and improved wellbeing when students begin their day with a healthy meal. The benefits extend beyond the students who eat breakfast, creating a more positive start for the wider school community.

Last financial year, we supported 552 schools, helping to provide a healthy breakfast to around 27,330 students every week. This year the program will expand to over 680 schools across Western Australia thanks to State Government funding. The School Breakfast Program continues to be one of our most valued services and we simply couldn’t do it without generous support from our partners.

Our School Breakfast Program provides registered schools with a range of nutritious, shelf-stable breakfast foods such as wheat biscuits, oats, canned fruit, baked beans, spaghetti and UHT milk. Schools can also access fresh produce from their nearest Foodbank WA branch, including bread, fruit, vegetables and yoghurt when available.

Schools can choose the delivery model that best fits their needs. They may run an inclusive sit-down breakfast club where students gather to eat and connect, or they may choose a discreet “as needs” option where food is provided quietly to students who need it. Both models support engagement, dignity and connection.

The impact of the School Breakfast Program is clear. Teachers tell us it “changes the whole mood of the school” and parents share how it reduces stress in the mornings. Research also shows that students begin the day in a more positive mood and feel less worried about access to food when breakfast is available at school.

All Western Australian schools that meet the membership criteria are welcome to join the program. Schools can simply contact our team on 9258 9277 or email to start the registration process or learn more about how the Program operates.

We are proud to partner with schools to support healthier, happier mornings for thousands of Western Australian children. Together, we can help ensure every child has the best possible start to their school day. 

Our School Breakfast Program is made possible thanks to the generous support of Department of Education, Lactalis Australia, Talison Lithium, Telethon7.

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