As we’ve learnt through collecting data and feedback throughout our Illawarra Food Rescue & Relief project so far, food rescue and relief organisations are often working with limited resources while managing increasing demand from community members experiencing food insecurity. Safe food storage, transport and handling infrastructure are essential to ensuring rescued food can be collected, stored and distributed efficiently, reducing waste while getting more food to people who need it most.
Thanks to funding from EPA NSW, we were able to provide light practical infrastructure support to our ten project food relief and rescue partners across the region. Partners received a range of infrastructure tailored to their operational needs, including refrigerators, shelving, food transportation and cooking equipment. These investments will strengthen the capacity of local organisations to rescue, store, prepare and distribute more rescued food for years to come.
Here’s how it’s helping a handful of our partners.
Warrawong Residents Forum
For local community centre Warrawong Residents Forum, the infrastructure will help expand the impact of rescued food across multiple community programs.
“At WRF, rescued food is more than provision — it is a pathway to connection, dignity, and engagement. The equipment received will strengthen WRF’s ability to safely store, prepare and distribute rescued food while supporting meal preparation, skills development and community participation activities across the WRF site, local school partnerships and Bundaleer programs. The additional infrastructure will help convert more rescued food into ready-to-eat meals, reduce waste and create hands-on opportunities for community members to build confidence and skills around food.”
Lifeline South Coast
Lifeline South Coast recently welcomed a new cool room, significantly increasing its capacity to safely store rescued food.
“Replacing an older unit, the new cool room provides substantially more storage space, new shelving and separate access to fridge and freezer sections. This upgrade will enable Lifeline to rescue and store more food for community distribution while also improving energy efficiency and reducing operating costs.”
OzHarvest Illawarra
For OzHarvest Illawarra, the project funded heavy-duty foldable trolleys to support food rescue operations.
“The new equipment will improve efficiencies during rescue runs, allowing drivers to move larger quantities of food more quickly and with less physical strain. By streamlining food collection and handling, the trolleys will help OzHarvest continue rescuing surplus food and delivering it to local charities and community organisations.”
True Hearts Community (as nominated by our food rescue partner SecondBite)
True Hearts Community supports vulnerable individuals and families experiencing hardship through weekly food hampers, pantry items, clothing and household goods.
“Recently, with the support of Healthy Cities Australia, we were fortunate enough to receive a grant to fund a new fridge for our operation. This fridge will help immensely, as we are now capable of storing more fresh produce, for a longer period of time.”
These infrastructure upgrades are a great example of how practical investment and resourcing for agencies on the frontline can strengthen the entire Illawarra sector.
If you’re interested in also providing tangible investment and resourcing to decrease food insecurity in our region, donate now to help us bring the Illawarra Regional Food Hub to life.
