Food Relief for 3.5M Australian Households

Food insecurity in Australia remains persistently high, with one in three households equating to 3.5 million households experiencing food insecurity in the past 12 months. While conditions have stabilised compared to previous years, the reality for many families has not improved. Cost-of-living pressures continue to be the primary driver, impacting 91% of food insecure households, and forcing many to reduce food quality, skip meals, or go without entirely. Vulnerable groups remain disproportionately affected, including single-parent households, renters, and people living with disability.

Through this project, Foodbank Australia has continued to deliver essential food relief at scale via its National Food Program. Funding has enabled the sourcing and distribution of critical staple items such as cereal, milk, pasta, rice, canned vegetables and proteins foods that are increasingly difficult to secure through traditional rescue channels. This ensures a consistent and reliable supply of nutritious food to communities facing heightened demand.

Over the past year, Foodbank sourced the equivalent of 92 million meals approximately 252,000 meals every day supporting a national network of 2,966 charities and 3,649 school feeding programs. More than 30% of all food distributed reached regional and rural communities, where food insecurity rates are often higher and access to affordable food is more limited.

Demand for food relief continues to grow, with charities reporting increased frequency of support requests. At the same time, awareness of food relief services has improved, with more households knowing where to turn for help. However, barriers such as stigma and the belief that others are more in need still prevent many from accessing support, highlighting the ongoing need for both service delivery and community engagement.

The impact of this project extends beyond immediate hunger relief. Access to consistent, nutritious food contributes to improved physical health, emotional wellbeing, and social connection. Programs such as school breakfast initiatives play a vital role in supporting children’s learning and development, particularly among households experiencing severe food insecurity.

Looking ahead, Foodbank remains focused on strengthening supply resilience and scaling impact through initiatives like the Annual Purchasing Program, where every $1 invested enables the procurement of $5 worth of food. This model allows us to respond flexibly to demand, address gaps in supply, and ensure that essential food reaches those who need it most. 

While the scale of need remains significant, continued support through this project is helping Foodbank deliver meaningful, measurable impact ensuring millions of Australians have access to the food they need to live healthier, more stable lives.

Links:

• Foodbank Australia - Autumn Newsletter
• Foodbank Hunger Report 2025