Community and Sector Advocacy
Our annual Community Needs Survey captured the voices of 874 charities and organisations across Australia, and what they told us was urgent. Almost 80% of charities reported increased demand for food relief, and more than 70% said they simply don’t have enough food to meet their communities’ needs. These aren’t just statistics; they’re the frontline telling us the system is under pressure and needs urgent attention.
Creating collective impact
Working closely with Foodbank Australia and SecondBite/FareShare, we strengthened collective impact through shared data and a unified voice, including collaborating on the Hunger Map project and developing a sector-wide issues briefing distributed to MPs and candidates ahead of the election. We also deepened our partnerships with key peaks and research bodies, including End Food Waste Australia.
And behind all of it, we’re nurturing a movement of supporters. Our Food Waste Fighters community now stands at more than 12,000 people ready to take action. Over a thousand people signed our open letter to the incoming government — a clear, collective message that Australians want bold leadership on food insecurity and food waste. We’re here to make sure that message lands.
Food is the foundation.
One charity partner completing the survey puts it plainly: food insecurity reaches far beyond hunger. For communities already in crisis, that emotional toll can tip into poor mental health and self-harm.
“Food insecurity is not just hunger, it’s about dignity, choices, health and impossible decisions people face to survive. The emotional toll is huge.”
That’s why access to reliable, nutritious food matters so deeply and sharing the voices of the charities we support is a key part of our advocacy work.