30 Years
of Foodbank Queensland

1995–2025: Three decades, millions of meals, countless Queenslanders supported.

Foodbank Queensland was founded in 1995, with the vision of a Queensland without hunger. Today, we are the state’s largest and most trusted hunger relief charity. We provide food and groceries to more than 350 Community Partners and over 430 School Breakfast Programs each year to make sure no Queenslander experiences hunger.

Over the past 30 years, we have delivered more than 225 million kilograms of food to Queenslanders doing it tough. That’s over 400 million meals shared, millions of lives impacted and countless moments of relief.

30 Years of Serving Our Community

1995

Fortitude Valley Shed Opened

Foodbank is founded with a vision of a Queensland without hunger, operating from a small shed in Fortitude Valley. Founded by Clem Jones AO, Ian Brusasco AO and David Muir AM.

1996

Foodbank Australia Federation

In 1996, Foodbank Queensland joined with Foodbanks in New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia to create a national organisation. This united approach streamlined relationships with food donors and gave Foodbank a strong, collective voice to the Federal Government. Today, every state and territory is part of Foodbank’s national network, working together to fight hunger across Australia.

2000

First Food Distribution Centre Opened

Purpose built by the Queensland Government for Foodbank, this centre was originally built to distribute 1 million kilograms of food. A strong focus was placed on increasing the rescue of excess fruit and vegetables from Queensland farms. By the year 2000, over 150 charitable organisations were members of Foodbank, accessing food relief for their local communities.

2004

This year, Foodbank sourced 1.6 million kilograms of food, highlighting growing need within the community.

2005

School Breakfast Programs Begin

Ensuring children across Queensland start their day with a nutritious meal. In the first year, this program delivered breakfast to five schools and supported 1000 students a week.

2012

Hunger Report Research

Launched in 2012, the Hunger Report is now in its 13th year and is recognised as Australia’s most comprehensive study into food insecurity, shining a light on the hidden hunger many Australians face.

2013

This year, Foodbank surpassed 10 million kilograms of food sourced, as operations continued to grow to meet rising community demand. 

2021

During COVID-19

Foodbank Queensland opened a temporary response facility, packing 25,000 emergency hampers to support Queenslanders in need.

2023

Food for Kids Program launches, ensuring children have access to nourishing food during school holidays when School Breakfast Programs pause. Over 12,000 hampers distributed in the programs first year.

2024

Disaster Response and Recovery Program expands, with six pre-positioned supply hubs located across Queensland, enabling rapid food relief during floods and emergencies.

2025

New Distribution Centres open in Townsville and Brisbane

30 years in the making: To meet the growing need for food relief, Foodbank Queensland expanded operations, opening two additional Food Distribution Centres in 2025 – one in Brisbane and one in Townsville. This has increased Foodbank Queensland’s operational footprint from 1,800m2 to more than 5,000m2.

Stories of Impact from Our Supporters

Dennis

Foodbank Queensland Volunteer

For more than ten years, Dennis has been a dedicated volunteer at Foodbank Queensland, making a tangible difference in the lives of so many Queenslanders. With a compassionate heart, Dennis has been involved in community volunteering since the 1980s, always striving to give back to his community.

“It seems incredible that it’s been 10 years, I can’t believe that really. You know, time flies when you’re having fun. The fact that Foodbank does exist means a great deal because a lot of charities would really struggle to be able to help people without Foodbank.” says Dennis. 

Peter Beattie

Former Premier of Queensland

“Foodbank has played a pivotal role in sustaining the lives of many Queenslanders in need. It has more than delivered on its original vision strongly supported by its founders such as Ian Brusasco, Clem Jones and David Muir. At the heart of Foodbank is a much needed generosity of spirit and giving to those in need. A debt of gratitude is owed to the long list of volunteers who have sustained Foodbank over the last 30 years. In particular, David Muir has worked tirelessly on behalf of Foodbank. David deserves our thanks and deep respect.”

Feeding Queensland Kids

Supporting place-based change in Gununa/Mornington Island, Ipswich and Bundaberg

Feeding Queensland Kids (FQK) is a partnership between Foodbank Queensland, SecondBite | FareShare, and OzHarvest, and is supported by the Queensland Government. Our vision is to achieve food equity by working with communities in Gununa/Mornington Island, Ipswich, and Bundaberg regions to support solutions to food insecurity.

We focus on supporting children and families facing adversity through community-led action and systems change. The initiative provides resources and support to help communities take practical, locally driven action toward food security – especially for children and families.

Community Grants

Feeding Queensland Kids’ community grants are for small amounts of funding to practically support access to and education around food. This could be for equipment like fridges, freezers, and/or microwaves. It could also be used to purchase and provide food or can be used for training and education purposes. Groups and organisations in Gununa/Mornington Island, Ipswich, and Bundaberg can apply for funding up to $10,000. Please see below Frequently Asked Questions including details for how to apply and the Application Form. Please reach out to our team (contact details below) for support.

Read FAQs Here
Access Application Form Here

Food Solutions funding

Our Vision is to create food equity by working with Gununa/Mornington, Island, Ipswich and Bundaberg communities to implement place-based solutions to food insecurity

Food Solutions funding supports trusted community groups/organisations/entities in Gununa/Mornington Island, Ipswich, and Bundaberg regions to co-design and deliver locally-led responses to food insecurity—up to $100,000 per application (or more by request). Food Solutions reflect community needs and strengths and may include programs, events, education, food supplies, transport, equipment, staffing and/or other ideas!

Please see below the Funding Guidelines including details for how groups can apply and the Expression of Interest Form. Please reach out to our team (contact details below) to support you with the EOI process.

Read Funding Guidelines Here
Access EOI Form Here

Contact us – Feeding Queensland Kids Team

Please feel free to get in touch with the team to ask any questions and seek guidance for your application. We are here to support you!

Lagi – Community Food Coordinator Gununa/Mornington Island Mobile: 0418 775 667 Email: lagi.s@foodbankqld.org.au
Milly – Community Food Coordinator Ipswich Mobile: 0429 558 864 Email: milly.s@foodbankqld.org.au
Christine – Community Food Coordinator Bundaberg Mobile: 0437 687 929 Email: Christine.S@foodbankqld.org.au
Catherine – Feeding Queensland Kids Partnerships Manager Mobile: 0456 090 997 Email: Catherine.C@foodbankqld.org.au Jason – First Nations Engagement Lead Mobile: 0449 508 154 Email: jason.m@foodbankqld.org.au

Feeding Queensland Kids and the collaboration acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands, waters and communities where we work and live. In Gununa/Mornington Island, we respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land, the Lardil Peoples of Mornington Island. We would also like to pay our respects to the historical people surrounding the Island, including the Kaiadilt, Yangkal and Gangalidda Peoples. In Tulmur/Ipswich we wish to acknowledge the Jagera, Yuggera and Ugarapul Peoples and in Bundaberg we would like to acknowledge the Bailai, Gurang, Gooreng Gooreng, Taribelang Bunda Peoples and at our head offices in Meanjin/Brisbane the Turrbal and Yuggera Peoples. We also pay respect to our Elders both past and present and acknowledge the many leaders of the communities we work and live in. We recognise and respect their continued custodianship, culture and Elders. 

© Copyright 2025 Feeding Queensland Kids

Disaster Response and Recovery Program

 

Feeding Queenslanders   in need everyday



The Impact of Your Donations

We believe all Queenslanders deserve access to good quality food. However, every single day, Queenslanders are going hungry. With your help, Foodbank can continue to get food where it’s needed most, distributing to local charities and schools right across Queensland. Our food supplies are provided to thousands of adults and children experiencing hunger every single week. With your support, we can continue this important work and give hope to families in need.

Your feedback matters to us

We hope the food hamper you received was helpful for your family. We’d be so grateful if you could take 2 minutes from your busy day to provide some much-appreciated feedback! Your feedback will help ensure we are helping in the most meaningful way possible.

And don’t worry, if you’d like to remain anonymous, that’s totally okay too.

 

Become a Foodbank Queensland Hunger Hero

Our Heroes are working towards a Queensland without hunger.

 

Hunger Heroes Web Page Image

 

 

Showcase you care to your customers, staff and community

Foodbank Queensland’s Hunger Heroes are committed businesses who have pledged to support Foodbank Queensland with an annual donation of $5,000. This reliable income means Foodbank Queensland can do what it does best, sourcing and distributing meals to families all year round. This level of support is ideal for businesses looking to make a meaningful impact at an entry partnership level.

Give hope to hungry Queenslanders

Foodbank Queensland can turn your $5,000 donation into 10,000 meals or use our supplier relationships to convert $1 into the equivalent of $5 retail value of food.

Make your company a Foodbank Hunger Hero

Your support will feed Queenslanders in need

Foodbank Queensland’s Impact

We believe all Queenslanders deserve access to good quality food. However, every single day, Queenslanders are going hungry. With your help, Foodbank can continue to get food where it’s needed most, distributing to local charities and schools right across Queensland. Our food supplies are provided to thousands of adults and children experiencing hunger every single week. With your support, we can continue this important work and give hope to families in need.

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© Copyright 2025 Foodbank Queensland. Donations over $2 are tax deductible.

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Foodbank Queensland’s Townsville Food Distribution Centre

Delivering Food Relief Across North Queensland

In April 2025, Foodbank Queensland began operating our Townsville Food Distribution Centre, following the generous transfer of assets from Food Relief North Queensland (FRNQ). This partnership marks a significant milestone in our continued efforts to provide food relief across North Queensland. We are incredibly grateful to FRNQ for their support, allowing us to further expand our reach to help feed more hungry Queenslanders.

Foodbank Queensland’s Townsville Food Distribution Centre plays a vital role in ensuring food relief reaches communities across North Queensland. This facility is not open to the public but serves as a hub where our Community Partners and schools can collect fresh produce, pantry staples, and essential groceries to distribute to people facing hunger.

From here, we work closely with local farmers, food donors, and transport partners to provide much-needed food relief to regional and remote areas in North Queensland. With the support of our generous donors and hardworking volunteers, we keep our Food Distribution Centre stocked and ready to assist Queenslanders doing it tough.

Whether it’s supporting everyday food relief programs or delivering emergency assistance in times of crisis, the Townsville Food Distribution Centre ensures our Community Partners have access to the food they need to help those most in need.

Foodbank Queensland is expanding to Townsville to better support northern Queensland and improve food distribution to regional and remote communities.

Food insecurity affects 36% of regional Queenslanders, compared to 28% in metropolitan areas—and this gap is widening. As food insecurity grows in regional areas, our Townsville Food Distribution Centre will help ensure more Queenslanders have access to nutritious food and groceries when they need it.

Our commitment is to provide no cost/low-cost food and groceries to Queenslanders who need them, including communities in Northern Queensland. We will continue to also provide disaster response and recovery support for Queenslanders.

We are also working in partnership with communities to address the causes of food insecurity.

FRNQ has transferred its assets to Foodbank Queensland and is no longer continuing as a Queensland charity. The nature of this asset transfer means Foodbank does not have access to or hold previous FRNQ financial supporter databases.

For any needs related to FRNQ’s past operations and donations made, please contact FRNQ’s previous manager: info@foodreliefnq.org.au

If you are a Queensland-based charity, not-for-profit, or community support provider, you may be eligible to become a Foodbank Queensland Community Partner. Foodbank Queensland works with over 350 Community Partners across the state to provide food and groceries to people in need. Community Partners offer a range of food relief services, including food hampers, low-cost grocery outlets, community meals, cooking programs, and street outreach. Becoming a Community Partner gives your organisation access to a reliable supply of food and groceries all year round to support your programs. To find out more or to apply, please email: members@foodbankqld.org.au

Foodbank is always looking for new local supporters and partners who can help to ensure no Queenslander experiences hunger. For more information on becoming a supporter of the Townsville Distribution Centre, please contact kim@foodbankqld.org.au

Foodbank is always looking for new local supporters and partners who can help to ensure no Queenslander experiences hunger. For more information on becoming a supporter of Foodbank’s five vital programs, including regional School Breakfast Programs, please contact Samantha@foodbankqld.org.au

Get Involved

Join our Volunteers

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By joining the Foodbank Queensland team as a volunteer, you will make a direct and positive community impact – helping us to get food to thousands of families every week. Your support will give food and hope to someone going without.

As of April 2025, we are offering volunteering positions at our Townsville, Mount St John, Food Distribution Centre. At this Distribution Centre, hamper packing volunteer roles are available.

Become a Financial Supporter

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Your kind gift helps Foodbank Queensland provide essential food relief to those in need across the state. Donations enable us to purchase pantry staples, and essential groceries that are distributed to our Community Partners, schools, and charities. Every dollar donated goes directly towards feeding hungry Queenslanders.

By supporting Foodbank Queensland you play a key role in supporting families, individuals, and communities facing hunger all across the state.

Donate Now

Become a Food Donor

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We accept donations of all kinds of food and groceries from farmers, manufacturers  and retailers throughout Australia. We also partner with food companies who donate ingredients and services so we can produce essential items like breakfast cereals, pasta, sauce and tinned fruit and vegetables. If you’re interested in learning more check out our collaborative supply program.

Donate Now

Discover more about Foodbank Queensland

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Read the 2024 Hunger Report

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Read our 2024 Impact Report

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Getting food to Queenslanders
who need it

Providing 10,000 meals every hour to hungry Queenslanders

We provide food relief to

350

Community Partners

As well as

430

School Breakfast Programs

We sourced food to deliver more than

22M

meals last years

We are a not-for-profit, non-denominational, federated organisation operating in every state and territory in Australia.

Here at Foodbank Queensland, we believe that access to healthy food is a basic human right. Each week, we support 135,000 Queenslanders in crisis and provide breakfast to 52,000 children each school week. We work in collaboration with 350 Community Partners and 430 Schools.

Alongside food relief, we rescue surplus food that would otherwise go to waste, reducing landfill and protecting the environment. We’re also focused on long-term change, partnering with communities to build fairer, more resilient local food systems.

Respect

Collaboration

Our values

Compassion

Responsibility

Trust

Meet the Community Partners

Meet a Community Partner: St Pete’s Pantry

Find out more
Meet a Community Partner: St Pete’s Pantry

Meet a Community Partner: Evangelical Mission for Salvation International

Find out more
Meet a Community Partner: Evangelical Mission for Salvation International

Meet a Community Partner: Kelso State School

Find out more
Meet a Community Partner: Kelso State School

Meet a Community Partner: Kingdom Makers Food Outlet

Find out more
Meet a Community Partner: Kingdom Makers Food Outlet

Foodbank Queensland hits major milestone in Townsville

Find out more
Foodbank Queensland hits major milestone in Townsville

Meet a Community Partner: Westside Community Care

Find out more
Meet a Community Partner: Westside Community Care

Meet a Community Partner: ADRA Townsville

Find out more
Meet a Community Partner: ADRA Townsville

Meet a Community Partner: The Street University – Ted Noffs Foundation

Find out more
Meet a Community Partner: The Street University – Ted Noffs Foundation

Meet a Food Producer: Mackays Marketing

Find out more
Meet a Food Producer: Mackays Marketing

Meet a Community Partner: Community Gro Townsville

Find out more
Meet a Community Partner: Community Gro Townsville

Get involved

Donate funds Donate food Partner with Us Gift in your will
Fundraise for us
Volunteer for us

Sustainable development goals

Foodbank Queensland’s activities play a key role in delivering on a number of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals which are aimed at ending poverty, protecting the planet and ensuring prosperity for all.

Foodbank Queensland’s operations are strongly aligned to the following 8 of the 17 goals.
We provide food relief to Queenslanders experiencing financial hardship.
We rescue and distribute food to ensure no one goes without.
We reach vulnerable communities across Queensland.
We reduce food waste by rescuing surplus food.
We work with government, industry, businesses and Community Partners to fight hunger.
We supply nutritious food to support healthy lives.
Our School Breakfast Program helps children learn on a full stomach.
By diverting food from landfill, we cut harmful greenhouse gas emissions.
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Farm to Families

Your monthly gift will help rescue food and feed families across Queensland.

Join our Farm to Families team

Hunger & Food Waste are big issues. But together, we can solve them. Join Farm To Families, our community of monthly givers, who are bringing fresh food to families in Queensland every single month.

Queensland produces enough food to nourish every man, woman and child in our state, but sadly millions of kilograms of food are wasted or spoiled before this food can reach households.  By rescuing food from farms before it is disposed of, and providing this food to vulnerable families in Queensland, our Farm to Families supporters achieve positive and meaningful impact in our community! 

1. Families NEED fresh food

All Queenslanders deserve access to good quality food, all year round. However, every single day, Queenslanders are going hungry.  We need your help to get fresh food to thousands of hungry families every week.  

2. Farmers have EXCESS fresh food  

We believe food belongs in bellies! But sadly, whilst families are going hungry, quality fresh food on Queensland farms is being wasted. Every year, millions of kilograms of food is wasted due to oversupply, labour shortages, and transport challenges. You can help get this food to Queenslanders in need and support our farmers. 

3. YOU can get this food to hungry families! 

Help get fresh food to families in need by supporting Foodbank Queensland’s Farm to Families Program.  Your generous monthly gift will ensure healthy and nutritious food gets to communities that need it most while supporting local farmers and reducing food waste.

Are you in? Make your first monthly gift today!

Join Farm To Families Now

 

Your monthly gift will help rescue food and feed families across Queensland.

Why Give Monthly?

By giving a small donation every month, you will be joining our Farm To Families team, and will make a big difference!

To be most effective, we need a strong base of Farm To Families givers who we can rely on monthly. In fact, 50% of our funding comes from regular donations from people like you. This reliable funding is what helps us continue food rescue programs and support families seeking aid.

Monthly giving is the most impactful way to support Foodbank. Without monthly gifts, we can’t effectively rescue large volumes of food, and provide support consistently to hundreds of families who need your support.

Foodbank supplies food to support thousands of adults and children experiencing hunger every single week. With your support, we can continue this important work and give hope to families in need.

Your Monthly Gift will:

  • Give hungry families fresh food weekly, with a $25 monthly gift! 
  • Rescue pallets of fresh food from going to waste! 
  • Support local farmers in Queensland!  
  • Help (Foodbank) transport food across Queensland! 

Chosen by you, your monthly gift is automatically deducted each month. This reduces our admin costs and means our small team can instead focus more on what we do best, rescuing food and feeding families in need throughout Queensland.

Join Farm To Families Now

Join Farm To Families Now

© Copyright 2025 Foodbank Queensland.
Donations over $2 are tax deductible.

Turn your empty containers into a donation and help those in need.

It’s as easy as 1,2,3

Foodbank Queensland is now part of Containers For Change enabling you to turn your recycling into cash donations for Foodbank. Donating is as easy as 1….2….3

Step 1 – Collect eligible containers.

Most aluminium, glass, plastic, steel, and liquid paperboard beverage containers between 150ml and three litres are eligible for a refund when returned to a container refund point. To be eligible the beverage container must:

  • Have contained a beverage product that is not excluded from the scheme. For example, cordials, and plain milk are not included in the scheme so containers that have held these products are not eligible for a refund
  • Display the refund mark. This is so that the container refund point operator can see if the container is part of the scheme. Most containers will already have a refund mark for SA and NT and these containers are eligible under Containers for Change. Beverage manufacturers have until 1 December 2019 to display the new refund mark on their containers
  • Be an approved container. Some containers are made out of materials that cannot be recycled. These containers may not be approved (by the Queensland Government) as an eligible container as the scheme requires that when a refund is paid on a container that container must be recycled.

Step 2 – Find your nearest collection depot

Head to the containers for change website and search for your closest collection depot.

Find your closest depot

Step 3 – Quote the ID to donate

To donate to Foodbank Queensland, simply quote the ID number below in order to make your donation.

ID: C10002907

For every five containers donated, Foodbank can provided a meal to a Queenslander in need.