Vision statement: A South Australia and Northern Territory without hunger.

Mission statement: To deliver the most good food to the most
South Australian and Northern Territorians in need in the most efficient way possible.

Vision statements are essential because they reveal a common goal and direction for the staff and volunteers of the organisation.

Mission statements are critical but may (and usually should) change as the business grows/expands etc.

Foodbank South Australia and Northern Territory is a non-profit organisation established in South Australia in 2000. Foodbank SA & NT is the largest food relief organisation in South Australia and is now supporting the Northern Territory with a vision to achieve a South Australia and Northern Territory without hunger. We source food from the food industry and make it available to welfare agencies and people in need.

Foodbank offers a variety of foods either free of charge or at very low cost to welfare, community support agencies and schools. Foodbank has warehouses in Edwardstown, Berri, Mount Gambier, Whyalla, Darwin, Murray Bridge, Alice Springs and a fruit and vegetable processing facility at the SA Produce markets.

We also operate Foodbank Food Hubs providing food relief direct to those in need in Alice Springs, Ceduna, Christies Beach, Darwin (Yarrawonga), Davoren Park, Mount Gambier, Murray Bridge, Whyalla and Woodville and two Mobile Food Hubs operating across metro and regional South Australia.

Foodbank is the largest food relief organisation in South Australia and the Northern Territory. We currently provide around 80% of the food distributed by the welfare in South Australia and the Northern Territory. We supply food relief to more than 150,000 South Australians and Territorians every month. One third are children.
Our strength is that no one has the size and scale to work with food relief and meet the needs of the food insecure like Foodbank does, particularly given our national reach (and the economies of scale this presents).

Foodbank is the only organisation that has the size, capacity and capability to successfully supply millions of kilograms of food to families who need help right across South Australia and the Northern Territory.

The buying power of Foodbank coupled with our regional reach direct and via charities/welfare agencies) means that we are able to get the right food to those most in need at the right time.

We are also a ‘friend of all’ charities/welfare agencies, our support and partnership with over 700 agencies and 550 school programs means we offer a unique model.

In addition, if we didn’t exist over 2.5 million kilograms of food would be dumped into landfill each year.

We receive food and grocery products from farmers, manufacturers, distributors, retailers and the public and make them available to both direct to those in need via our Food Hubs and via the charities, community groups and schools we work with.

Some of the reasons food is donated to Foodbank SA include;
• Food growers, manufacturers and processors produce quantities of food which, for various commercial reasons, cannot be sold
• Product close to ‘best before’ or ‘use by’ date
• Excess stock
• Deleted lines
• Slow moving stock
• Product with incorrect labels or product with no label
• Bulk produce
• Sample size produce
• Product with damaged packaging
• Some growers, manufacturers and processors donate product because they want to help Australians in need.

Despite best efforts in sourcing donated stock, we also need to purchase some food items to help meet demand. Some products are also purchased for specific Foodbank Programs including Key Staples,  School Breakfast Programs and Christmas Hamper Program.

Food is distributed to the people who need it via the Foodbank Food Hubs and via charities/ welfare agencies, and schools we work with.

We do have personal items available for Foodbank Food Hub clients accessing the Hubs. Charities/welfare agencies and schools who are members of Foodbank can also access non-food products and personal items from our warehouse for their clients and families.

Foodbank’s activities in Australia 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.

These sustainable goals include:
2 – Zero Hunger
1 – No Poverty
10 – Reduced inequalities
12 – Responsible Consumption and Production
17 – Partnership for the goals

More information can be found here: https://www.foodbank.org.au/sdg/?state=sa

Yes, on average Foodbank saves over 2.5 million kilograms of food from being dumped into landfill each year.
Foodbank not only plays a lead role in fighting hunger, but also a vitally important role in tackling Australia’s $36.6 billion food waste problem and helping the environment.

‘Foodbank’ was the name given to the 1st peak charity established in early 1960’s in USA – the role of the charity was to centralise the food collection/storage/re-distribution of produce for emergency food-relief in a professional best-practice manner – to act as a professional, single point of contact for food companies, to allow easy route of donated surplus & fit for human consumption foods.

The ‘charity name’ is less important than clear vision, brand strategy and total integrity as the charity builds solid foundations for its operations. Brand strategy in start-up phase is often more focused on direct stakeholders than public; however, with maturity of the charity this must expand to incorporate general consumer awareness.

The Foodbank concept made it to Australian shores in the early 1990’s, initially starting with a charity established in Sydney to perform this important task. During the 1990’s other independent state Foodbanks were established in Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. Then in 2000, Foodbank SA was established and commenced operations. Considerably later, Foodbank was established in Tasmania and Northern Territory. Foodbank SA expanded its reach in July 2023 to include all of the Northern Territory and become Foodbank SA & NT.

All state Foodbanks are independent charities in their own right, with state Board of Directors appointed to manage local state issues.
State Foodbanks work very closely together under a federated concept, with a peak-body and secretariat called Foodbank Australia.

One person: Leigh Royans, our local founder.

Stage 1: Planning, for almost three years (this involved preparation of Feasibility Study for state Government, stakeholder meetings obtaining support from key food companies, engagement with peak-body welfare groups).

Stage 2: Recruitment of Interim Board of directors and all ATO applications to establish charity and receive full status/certifications, including Revenue SA requirements.

Stage 3: Business Planning and Financial Modelling phase for the charity, plus the founder and interim Chair raised initial $1 Million needed as seed funds to start operations and procure various capex items to establish a food warehousing and distribution business, including trucks/vans/forklifts/cool room/freezer.

Stage 4: Engagement of real-estate sector to identify best operational warehouse for start-up of trading.

Stage 5: Commenced trading staff number was increased from one (the founder) to three staff.

Within three years we had 385 welfare agency customers using our services and had expanded to four staff.

Today, Foodbank now has 55.6 full time equivalent staff and up to 500 volunteers across South and the Northern Territory.

That is a very subjective question – there is no right or wrong answer as every charity is different. However, a charity should always be focused on delivering its vision – staffing should reflect such and charities must always live within their means. Staff are the custodians of a community charity, and their role is to leave the charity better/stronger than the day they joined its staff team.

Foodbank staff operate across more than 20 sites in South Australia and the Northern Territory (including warehousing, Food Hubs, Mobiles and operations).

• Governance
• Fiscal due-diligence (annual Audit)
• Risk Management
• Performance of charity against its vision
• Performance of CEO
• Other assistance via director(s) (business networks, accessing wealth of expertise of director, mentoring etc.)

Marketing and fundraising plays a major role in the success of a charity. It is important to engage the community with the cause.

Particularly, via brand awareness. In addition, using existing relationships/partnerships is pivotal for the success. Engaging the community through direct mail, social media, PR etc. As with all not for profits, many are competing for the same fundraising dollar, so it is important to resonate with potential donors. This is why marketing is pivotal to the success.

Importantly, Foodbank is now one of the most reputable charities in Australia. We do what we say we will with the funds provided, with 100% of the donations going to food purchase for those in need.

Although we have lots of volunteers to help run our charity, staff wages are our biggest costs; these represent 38% of our total expenses. The next is food procurement to ensure we have enough food to meet demand, so food purchases and the associated freight/transport costs would be our second biggest cost, these equate to 30.5% of total expenses.

62% of our costs are spent on these two expense categories. Other costs include leasing, electricity and fuel. In addition, expenses direct for capital purchase such as vehicles.

Enough funding, Work Health and Safety processes to ensure a safe and productive environment, recruitment and retention of both staff and volunteers, Public Liability Insurance and Volunteer Accident Insurance to name a couple, management tools to ensure smooth running.

Other essential processes and procedures include;

• All staff and volunteers need a police clearance, staff that directly engage with children and young people need a more detailed Working with Children Check.
• All staff and volunteers need to go through an induction process to understand the safety aspects and what’s expected of them.
• Confidentially procedures around staff’s salaries and personal details are vital.
• As we take donations there are strict procedures that need to be adhered to around privacy of personal information and how and what is kept.
• Work Health and Safety policies and procedures and vital and are checked and updated regularly, we do a lot of manual handling so up to date training is important.
• Good financial management is essential. Financial reports are prepared monthly, are compared to budget and cash flow is closely monitored. Regular reporting to key management and the board.
• Updating the Board on all important matters and following the Strategy the board has agreed to.
• Regular management updates of the charity, which should then be communicated to any appropriate staff.
• It is essential to know and enact all legal responsibilities, these include having the appropriate insurance, lodging any Australian Taxation Office requirements on time (e.g., Pay as you go (PAYG) tax for employees, pay superannuation), lodging financial accounts with the Federal Government Agency (ACNC).
• All charities have a constitution, which is a document which sets out the rules and responsibilities of the charity. It is important these rules are followed.

The people involved:

• Community involvement and support
• Dedicated and passionate staff and volunteers
• Access to resources – funds, infrastructure, vehicles
• The right cause and message (mission) that resonates with average person. The charity needs to show their donors they are meeting the charities goals and getting results.
• A charity is only successful if the people that work and volunteer for it has passion and commitment. It’s usually not “just a job” for people that work in a charity. The mix of people working for a charity has to be right as well.
• A successful charity needs good governance and leadership, with clear goals. It also needs to be financially viable and not rely too heavily on non-recurring external funding.
• Finally they need to be able to quickly adapt to change if necessary.

Food Hubs offer a dignified and affordable shopping experience and are set up to resemble a general store environment. We encourage people to choose healthy food options by providing free fruit and vegetables. Affordable Meal Packs (with online instructional videos online) are also available for those interested in learning how to cook.

Individuals are assessed by charities/welfare agencies and schools who issue them with an online Food Hub referral voucher. This voucher allows people in need to access and shop at our Food Hubs across the state including two Mobile Food Hubs.

Foodbank SA & NT has developed a Food Education Program and strategies to help improve and promote healthy eating amongst people accessing food relief through Foodbank Food Hubs.

Foodbank is dedicated to helping South Australians and Northern Territorians in need access nutritious food to support their health and wellbeing.

Fruit and vegetables at Foodbank are always free for charities/welfare agencies, schools and Food Hub clients.

Our mission is to end hunger in Australia. Approximately, more than 150,000 South Australians and Northern Territorians are experiencing food insecurity every month. One third of these are children. Our aim is to put food on the table of the most vulnerable South Australians and Northern Territorians and our belief is that no one should go hungry.

The benefits of these people being able to access food relief through Foodbank may include;

• Feeling less hungry,
• Able to better focus/concentrate,
• Able to afford small luxuries (e.g. toiletries, tea or coffee)
• Felt less nauseous,
• Physical health improved.

Social Return on Investment: According to an independent study into Foodbank’s social return on investment, Foodbank’s food assistance not only addresses people’s immediate nutrition needs but also contributes to improvements in their health, emotional wellbeing, sense of self-worth, social relationships and ultimately overall standard of living.

Combined with the environmental savings of food not going to waste, the benefit to the individual and the broader community that flows from every kilogram of food distributed by Foodbank to an adult is valued at $23.

Foodbank plays a key role in times of community emergencies and natural disasters. Every State/Territory Foodbank is involved in disaster relief, providing essential supplies to support the work of emergency services and first responders as well as ongoing assistance to affected communities during the months and years it takes to recover.

Foodbank SA & NT is the primary provider of food relief during times of natural disaster in South Australia as appointed by the State Emergency Disaster Response team.

It is well known and has been proven in research that when students are hungry, they can’t be at their best. Going to school hungry affects their ability to concentrate, to learn and to achieve results in the classroom, which can lead to consequences throughout their lives including poor literacy and numeracy skills. Making breakfast an important part of a child’s day.

The Foodbank SA & NT School Breakfast Program helps to provide healthy, nutritious food to children in need who do not have access to breakfast food at home and arrive at school hungry. It is Foodbank’s focus to make sure that the healthy food needed by vulnerable students is available at no cost for schools.

The Foodbank SA & NT School Breakfast Program started in South Australia back in 2005. The School Breakfast Program commenced in Alice Springs in 2021 and in Darwin in 2023.

Breakfast items provided free of charge to registered School Breakfast Program schools include cereal (e.g. Weetbix, Vita Brits and oats), long-life milk, fresh fruit, canned fruit, Vegemite, jam, bread, flour, baked beans and tinned spaghetti.

Schools involved in the Foodbank SA & NT School Breakfast Program report that they see a number of changes in the students who participate in the School Breakfast Program. Some of the feedback is that;

• Students want to come to school,
• They want to be on time,
• There is an increase in school attendance,
• It helps students to start their day positively,
• It helps to builds a sense of community,
• Students are not as fidgety after eating,
• They have improved concentration in class,
• It encourages student leadership,
• It’s an opportunity for students to learn valuable skills – e.g. using a toaster, sitting at a table, using cutlery (e.g. buttering toast, using a knife and fork)

The impact that School Breakfast Programs have on communities involved is that more children are attending school, better health and greater awareness of making healthy choices.