Foodbank NSW & ACT

Tell us about Foodbank NSW & ACT. What is your mission?

Foodbank NSW & ACT is the state’s and territory’s largest food relief organisation, providing much-needed food assistance to individuals and families through its network of community partners across NSW and the ACT.

Foodbank’s mission is to end hunger in the community. It believes everyone should have access to the food they need and the organisation is there every day for Australians who are going without.

As an organisation, Foodbank exists to source food and make it accessible to those who need it. Foodbank does this through three crucial steps – sourcing, supplying, and transporting food to make it accessible to people in every corner of New South Wales and the ACT.

Foodbank is proud to work with more than 700 local community partners and more than 900 schools to distribute food to those facing hunger in the community.

What are your programs/initiatives and why do you run them?

Fresh Produce Pop-ups

There are less food relief services outside major population centres.  Foodbank NSW & ACT’s Fresh Produce Pop-ups work to bridge this gap for rural communities by working with local community partners to bring fresh, healthy and nutritious fruit and vegetables, free of charge, to local families and individuals seeking essential food relief.

Each pop-up delivers more than 6,000 kilograms of fresh produce and provides a welcoming space for 300 plus families to access enough fresh food, for a whole week.

School Breakfast 4 Health Program

Foodbank NSW & ACT has been running the School Breakfast 4 Health program for many years to give students the opportunity to eat a wholesome, nutritious breakfast on a regular basis. Having breakfast has been shown to have a positive impact on factors such as physical and mental health, social skills, concentration, behaviour, attendance, and academic outcomes.

It is shocking to know that one in five children in every Australian classroom are going to school hungry. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It sets children up to concentrate and learn, but unfortunately not all children are able to start the day with a healthy breakfast at home. Foodbank’s School Breakfast 4 Health program steps in, supplying quality food products to registered schools, free of charge, to ensure all children have access to a nutritious breakfast before school.

How do you involve volunteers in your programs?

Community volunteers work within a team of staff and other volunteers to help Foodbank distribute food to community partners and schools throughout New South Wales & the ACT. There is an array of roles on offer within the community volunteer space, including warehouse support, local pick-ups and office support.

Corporate and group volunteers are also key in helping Foodbank NSW & ACT get food to where it is needed most.  They support with food picking, packing, food rescue, and hamper packing.

How do your volunteers make a difference in the community?

Volunteers are the lifeblood of Foodbank; they are vital in allowing the organisation to go where hunger is.

Last financial year (2025/2026), Foodbank welcomed over 7000 volunteers to its warehouse. Volunteers supported picking and packing food, assisted deliveries, or worked in the office (encompassing individual and group volunteers). The volunteers contributed an incredible 66,755 hours to Foodbank’s cause. Without them, Foodbank would not be able to distribute more than 20 million meals each year to those households doing it tough across NSW and the ACT.

Do you have any stories from your volunteers?

During the recent National Volunteer Week, Foodbank heard from Sue and Jodie – a mother-daughter duo making a real impact. Sue has been volunteering with Foodbank since December 2019, while Jodie just bypassed her 100 hours milestone.   Together, they have contributed 2,300 hours to Foodbank NSW & ACT.   Foodbank loves seeing families volunteering side‑by‑side, helping distribute thousands of kilos of food to households who are going without right across NSW and the ACT.

Sue’s advice to anyone thinking about volunteering: “Just do it! Seven years in and I’m still loving every moment. I volunteer because I want my time to mean something.”

What resources and services have helped to support your volunteer involvement?

Having a trusted source for all aspects of volunteering is invaluable. While many of Foodbank’s policies and tools are up to date, The Centre often had a first draft based on the tools available – especially when it came to the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement. Accessing the different training and events are also a tremendous help – Foodbank also attends The Centre’s Volunteering NSW State Conference each year.

Why did your organisation become a member of The Centre? What benefit has it brought your organisation?

Foodbank believes volunteering is so important, and membership provides the bonus of personalised advice and support, recruitment support by having roles listed online, promotion of Foodbank, plus the pro bono legal advice (conditions apply) and National Standards consultation. It is a trusted one stop shop.

What have you learnt about the value of volunteering and/or volunteer management?

The Centre for Volunteering reinforces many of the ideas and beliefs that over 20 years of experience have shown. Volunteering gives personal and health benefits, improves skills, and has an economic and social impact… and it just feels good! You often feel you get more out of giving than what the recipients may feel when they’re getting… and you can’t put a value on that, it’s priceless.

What would you say to someone thinking of volunteering?

If you are already thinking of it, take that last step and do it! You won’t have regrets. You will meet some like-minded people, you will make a difference to your community, and if you’re really lucky, you’ll have some fun and laughs while you do it all too.

 LEARN MORE ABOUT FOODBANK NSW & ACT

Membership

The Centre is proud to support organisations like Foodbank NSW & ACT doing important work in the community.

Foodbank believes volunteering is so important, and membership provides the bonus of personalised advice and support, recruitment support by having roles listed online, promotion of Foodbank, plus the pro bono legal advice (conditions apply) and National Standards consultation. It is a trusted one stop shop.

 

– Foodbank NSW & ACT