By Foodbank Australia, the largest food relief organisation in the country, has announced that it sourced a record 51 million kilograms of food and groceries for Australians in 2023. This amount is equivalent to 92 million meals, and was distributed to 3.7 million households that faced food insecurity due to the rising cost of living. Foodbank Australia thanked the Australian food and grocery industry for its generous and continuous support, without which it could not have achieved this feat.
Foodbank Australia relies on the donations from the food and grocery industry to provide food relief to millions of Australians who struggle to afford adequate and nutritious food. The organisation works with farmers, wholesalers, retailers, and manufacturers, who donate food and groceries that are surplus, out of specification, close to expiry, or damaged. Foodbank Australia also receives financial donations from the industry, which help it to cover the operational costs and to purchase essential items that are in short supply.
The food and grocery industry has been a long-standing and loyal partner of Foodbank Australia, and has increased its donations over the years, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic and the natural disasters that hit the country. In 2023, the industry donated more than 60 types of items, including ambient foods, chilled and fresh foods, and household care items.
The impact of food and grocery donations
The food and grocery donations from the industry have a significant impact on the lives and well-being of the people who receive them. Foodbank Australia distributes the donations to more than 2,400 charities and 2,600 schools across the country, which provide food hampers, cooked meals, breakfast programs, and emergency relief to the people in need.
The food and grocery donations help to improve the health, happiness, and productivity of the recipients, who often face physical, mental, social, and economic challenges due to food insecurity. The donations also help to reduce food waste and environmental impact, by diverting food and groceries that would otherwise end up in landfill.
The need for more support from the government
Despite the record-breaking food and grocery donations from the industry, Foodbank Australia said that it still could not meet the growing demand for food relief in the country. The organisation said that the main reason for food insecurity was the increased or high cost of living, which affected many households, especially those with children, single parents, and people on low incomes or benefits.
Foodbank Australia called on the federal government to provide more support to the food relief sector, and to deliver immediate and significant cost of living relief to the millions of Australians who are struggling to make ends meet. The organisation said that food relief was not a long-term solution, and that more action was needed to address the root causes of food insecurity and poverty.
Foodbank Australia has achieved a remarkable milestone in sourcing a record amount of food and groceries for Australians in 2023, thanks to the generosity and collaboration of the food and grocery industry. The food and grocery donations have made a positive difference to the health and well-being of millions of households that faced food insecurity due to the rising cost of living. However, the food relief sector still needs more support from the government, as the demand for food relief continues to outstrip the supply.