For the first time, we now have a snapshot of how food relief and food rescue is operating in the Illawarra!
Healthy Cities Australia, through our Regional Food Donation Coordinator project funded by the NSW EPA, conducted the first baseline survey of local food relief activity. The data collection and analysis was completed in partnership with Dr Katherine Kent and Professor Karen Charlton from the University of Wollongong, providing a much-needed evidence base to guide regional food security efforts.
Food relief organisations play a dual role in our communities: they provide essential meals and groceries to individuals and families in need, while also preventing good food from going to waste. By establishing this first baseline, we can begin to understand the scale of this impact, the challenges facing providers, and the opportunities to strengthen food rescue systems in our region.
Across 15 organisations who participated in the survey, the combined weekly impact is significant:
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1,540 meals served
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652 hampers and food parcels delivered
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1,723 individuals and 495 families supported
This data shows how deeply embedded food relief providers are in the local support network and the regional food system.
The survey revealed that food relief is not delivered in a uniform way. Some organisations provide weekday access, while others distribute weekly or twice-weekly depending on capacity and community demand. A smaller number offer daily food access, though this requires considerable staffing, storage, and logistics support. This diversity of models reflects the adaptability of providers to their resources and the communities they serve.
The survey also highlighted the practical barriers organisations face:
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Storage capacity varies widely, with 40% reporting excellent infrastructure but 20% struggling with major limitations.
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Food quality and shelf life present challenges, particularly for perishable items that must be moved quickly.
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Funding, staffing, and transport limitations were common, with many organisations citing insufficient refrigerated transport, limited warehouse space, and difficulty meeting dietary needs.
These issues point to a need for not just more food, but more predictable and reliable systems to ensure rescued food reaches those who need it most. You can read the full report here.
