Charitable organizations are depleting their food supplies to support the growing number of Australians unable to afford meals, resulting in over 74,000 needy individuals being turned away each month, a recent survey indicates.
According to a survey conducted by OzHarvest, 875 groups provided support to over 350,000 individuals monthly in the year ending March 2026, with a majority of respondents across all states and territories noting an increase in demand.
Food insecurity, defined as the uncertainty of having reliable access to safe and sufficient food, impacts one in eight households in Australia, including one in three households led by a single parent, based on 2023 statistics from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
However, the number of individuals struggling to secure meals has only increased since that time, according to Ronni Kahn, founder of OzHarvest.
The expense of basic living tells the full story because I believe we’re in a crisis, she stated.
Our food system is failing … and many people are unwilling to accept the reality of the situation.
Stepping Stones North, a Brisbane-based charity, reports that even the low-cost meals it offers are becoming increasingly unaffordable and require additional support from food donations.
I’ve observed that even the $5 meal is becoming somewhat pricey for frequent visitors, noted Jacqui Gillespie, the charity's leader.
We significantly depend on that weekly contribution from OzHarvest, which we receive on Thursdays, and it’s all gone … by Friday.
Nutritious foods come at a high cost, causing individuals with limited grocery budgets to experience other health issues as they skip essential nutrition to save money, Gillespie explained.
Economists predict that prices for fresh fruits and dairy will rise due to escalating fertilizer costs resulting from ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.
There’s no question that this will affect food prices because you have … an immediate increase in production costs, not only on farms but also … throughout the supply chain, stated Michael Harvey, a senior research analyst at Rabobank.
Adverse weather in northern Australia, combined with rising costs in processing and distributing packaged goods, is spreading price pressure beyond just dairy, fruits, and vegetables, Harvey added.
He indicated that higher prices are likely to persist well beyond the resolution of the conflict, likely remaining above pre-conflict levels.
While there may be a quick adjustment in production costs on farms, it will take time before consumers notice any change, he commented.
In Melbourne, Shay Fullee, the charity operations manager, has observed the effects of the war firsthand.
We’re seeing new individuals, people we haven’t seen before who are now reaching out for assistance, she remarked.
The current demand surpasses what we are able to provide, to be frank.
Fullee explained that the situation is straining her charity’s finances, forcing it to buy more food from supermarkets to supplement the donations received.
OzHarvest has urged the federal government to prioritize food security, but Ms. Kahn expresses little hope for meaningful change.
I would be excited to be shown that I am incorrect, she stated.
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