An extra mobile food van will be added to Foodbank’s statewide fleet early next year to address increasing demand.
The need for Foodbank services increased by 35 per cent in the 2023-24 financial year, and 5.1 million kg of food was supplied to households in need – up from 4.2 million the year prior.
On any given day, up to 200 families visited each of the 12 food hubs around the state.
Whyalla and Ceduna were two of the food hubs that saw the biggest growth in families accessing food.
Minister for Human Services Nat Cook says the State Government is working to address this.
“We’re trying to build a very connected piece of support across our community – both in the metropolitan and regional parts of South Australia, Minister Cook explained.
“To be able to deliver cost-of-living and food security relief, but also to provide a place for people to go to help build those levels of capacity and skill for longer into the future.”
Foodbank SA will expand its reach on the Eyre Peninsula soon, with plans to open a food hub in Port Lincoln at Community House.
“People that know of Community House will know that other services are available on that site too.
“So this is all part of a vision to be able to provide more than just food relief, but also wrap around an ongoing support for families and community.”
