Powering communities with produce

We can’t do it without your help

In Australia, we provide food and grocery relief to 2,929 front-line charities and 3,220 school breakfast programs to help feed people in need. Last year alone, we sourced enough food for 92 million meals. Despite our best efforts, the food we supply is still not enough.

Our National Produce Program allows the whole horticulture industry and supply chain to donate much needed fruit and vegetables to families who are doing it tough. Annually fruit and vegetables account for more than a third of our total volume, which is crucial for the communities we support.

In addition to helping provide nutritious fruit and vegetables, this program also provides the fruit and vegetable industry with a viable and sustainable option for managing waste and products that may be out of specification, helping to reduce the amount of edible produce unnecessarily going to waste or landfill.

With a Foodbank in every state and territory and a presence at each state wholesale market, donating fruit and vegetables to Foodbank is easy!

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How it works

Produce Program Infographic.

 

Frequently asked questions

 

How does the program work?

We work proactively with our donors, industry partners and supply chain partners to raise awareness and help make Foodbank front of mind should a product or produce be:

  • surplus
  • not to specification
  • incorrectly labelled
  • rejected from wholesalers
  • rejected from retailers

We also work closely with the retailers to capture products, including their private label products, should they be rejected at a distribution centre. You’ve worked hard to produce the product. The last thing anyone wants to see is it going to waste.

What can the product donations be?
  • Over or under temperature
  • Over or under-ripe
  • Over or underweight
  • Blemished or damaged
  • Incorrectly labelled
  • In incorrect or faulty packaging
  • Damaged pallets
  • Over supplied

Fresh produce donations must be free of breakdowns, mould or rot and be within their best before or use-by date.

What can be the frequency of donations?
  • One-off product donations
  • A regular donation of a defined quantity at a set frequency, determined by the donor
  • A seasonal donation that lasts for the season
  • Anytime you have a product available, for whatever reason
What are the benefits of donating?
  • Supporting your industry: You can be confident that your fruit and vegetable donations go to people who need a helping hand in your community.
  • Foodbank is a registered, not-for-profit charity organisation with DGR status. All donations to Foodbank can receive a Tax Donation Receipt for the weight and description of the good donated.
  • The process is simple, transparent and fulfilling. 

Hunger in Australia

Right now, millions of Australians are struggling to put food on the table, and at worst skipping meals or going whole days without eating.

The rising cost of living means more people are turning to food relief, and they’re needing support more often.

At Foodbank, we believe everyone should have access to good food, no matter their situation. Can you help us meet the demand?

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

Make a difference today

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Thank you

We’re incredibly grateful to all our fresh produce donors and supporters. You make it possible for us to provide a wide range of in-demand fruit and veg to people doing it tough. We couldn’t do it without you.

Our National Produce Program Partners

 

 

Industry Partners

Australia Food & Grocery Council

Aus Veg logo

International Fresh Produce Association logo

National Farmers Federation Logo