The Give Where You Live Foundation has today released its latest ‘Food for Thought’ Research Report, revealing the increasing demand and challenges facing food relief agencies in the G21 region.
As the cost of living continues to impact our region, the latest report shows that demand for food relief across the region has surged and is expected to continue rising.
Data in the report supports this, with 90% of Geelong food relief agencies experiencing service demand growth over the past year and 63% of agencies reporting that clients needs have become more complex.
Give Where You Live CEO, Bill Mithen said the Food for Thought report is an initiative of the Foundation’s Feed Geelong program, which seeks to support the Geelong Food Assistance network to address food insecurity in the region.
“As part of our commitment to supporting the food assistance system, the Foundation conducts regular research to provide an evidence base of the needs and challenges impacting the sector. This report provides key information to help us understand food insecurity across our region and the true impact the cost-of-living crisis is having on individuals and families.”
The latest report also shows food relief agencies have seen a demographic shift in the communities they serve.
“One of the notable themes emerging from the research is a shift in who is accessing food relief across our community. There has been an increase in working families, residents affected by the cost of living crisis and more individuals experiencing homelessness or rough sleeping,” Mr Mithen said.
The report identified the key reasons people are seeking food relief services are cost of living pressures (77%), followed by low income (60%), unemployment (60%), receipt of government benefits (57%) and families reliant on a single income (57%).
It also highlights the large number of individuals and families the food relief sector is supporting, estimating weekly statistics of 8,751 people, with food relief agencies providing over 34,293 meals, 2372 food parcels and distributing almost 22,930kg of food to clients.
The important role volunteers play in supporting food relief was also demonstrated with the report revealing that for every one paid employee in the G21region there are 22 volunteers. The replacement cost of volunteer labour across the food relief sector in the G21 region equates to a staggering $10,503,640 annually. Despite this, 40% of agencies still reported not having enough staff or volunteers to meet the current levels of demand.
The Give Where You Live Foundation has launched the latest report as part of its Feed Geelong Appeal, which encourages people to help fight hunger in our community.
“Access to healthy, fresh, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food is one of our most basic human rights. Unfortunately, however, this report highlights that right here in our community, there are many people who are struggling to put food on the table for their family each day.” Mr Mithen said.
“Now more than ever, we need the people of Geelong to come together to raise funds for the
Feed Geelong Appeal, to help make sure nobody in our community goes hungry,” he added.
To make a donation or get involved visit https://www.feedgeelong.com.au/
The Feed Geelong Appeal is supported by: Goop Digital, The Gordon, GSC Finance, Rex Gorell
Ford, Australian Tyre Traders, Associated Cold Tread Tyres, Times News Group and Bay 93.9
and K Rock 95.5.