Helping to Alleviate Food Insecurity

A closer look at helping to alleviate food insecurity – national picture, local realities in the Upper Yarra & Mooroolbark

Across Australia, the cost-of-living squeeze is pushing more families to the edge – especially when it comes to putting food on the table. Foodbank’s latest national survey shows 32% of Australian households – around 3.4 million – experienced food insecurity in 2024, with 19% (nearly 2 million households) facing severe food insecurity (e.g., skipping meals, running out of food) in the past year. Cost-of-living pressures remain the leading driver.

Closer to home, Yarra Ranges data shows 8.9% of adults ran out of money for food in 2023 – higher than the Victorian average, and circumstances do not seem to be getting any easier for many of the individuals and families we see each week at our Social Supermarkets. This is part of a broader health and wellbeing picture where access to affordable, nutritious food is increasingly out of reach for many local households. 

What food insecurity looks like here

In the Upper Yarra Valley and Mooroolbark regions of Victoria, we see a mix of challenges:

• Rising essential costs (rent, utilities, transport) leaving less for groceries. Nationally, 8 in 10 food-insecure households cite higher living expenses as a key factor.

• Transport barriers in parts of the Valley that make accessing affordable food harder, amplifying stress on low-income households. (Regional households remain at higher risk than metro.)

• Growing local demand for relief, reflected in council listings for food boxes and meals and the increasing number of community agencies supporting residents across the shire. (yarraranges.vic.gov.au)

How food rescue is helping (and why it matters)

Australia’s food relief and rescue sector prevents good food from going to waste and redirects it to people who need it. In 2024 alone, OzHarvest rescued 14.4 million kg of food and supplied ~28.5 million meals nationally. (OzHarvest | 2024 Impact Report)

In Victoria, the network has stepped up coordination:

• SecondBite & FareShare (merged 1 July 2024) report major gains in rescued food and meals delivered, strengthening the pipeline of nutritious, ready-to-eat meals to charities statewide. (FareShare)

• Together with OzHarvest and regional partners, the Victorian food relief sector provided over 21.5 million meals in 2024. (secondbite.org)

These efforts complement government initiatives. The Victorian Community Food Relief Program is investing additional funds to boost local capacity, infrastructure and coordination (including grants for neighbourhood houses and volunteer-led organisations). (Victoria Government, providers.dffh.vic.gov.au)

LinC Yarra Valley’s role

At LinC Yarra Valley, our Social Supermarkets in the Yarra Valley and Mooroolbark areas provide free fresh food and essential items in a dignified, low-barrier setting. Operated with local churches and volunteers, these hubs prioritise choice, connection and respect – because food relief should feel like community, not charity. 

We work alongside churches, council-listed services and statewide food rescue partners to:

• Rescue and redistribute quality food that would otherwise go to waste.

• Make healthy options available – fresh produce, pantry staples, and ready-to-eat items where possible.

• Connect people to supports beyond groceries (crisis support, referrals, and social connection).

This model directly addresses Foodbank’s call for dignified, accessible support and helps reduce the stigma that often stops people from seeking help – even when they need it.

What you can do

• If you need food: Visit our Social Supermarket page for times and details. 

• Volunteer or partner with us: From logistics to social media marketing, every hand expands our reach. Visit our Volunteer page.

• Donate: Financial gifts help us fill nutritional gaps (e.g., proteins, culturally preferred staples) and keep fridges, freezers and vehicles running. Visit our Donations page.

• Advocate: Support policies and programs that strengthen Victoria’s food relief system and local capacity. (The state is actively investing in community food relief and considering recommendations from the Inquiry into Food Security in Victoria.) (Parliament of Victoria)

Why this matters now

The latest research is clear: while there’s been a slight national easing from 2023’s peak, need remains high – and more severe for low-income and regional households. With local indicators above the state average, the Upper Yarra and Mooroolbark communities are on the front line. Food rescue and community-led models like our Social Supermarkets are practical, scalable answers – reducing waste, improving nutrition, and restoring dignity. 

If you’d like to get involved – or if you need support – please contact us. Together, we can ensure everyone in our community has access to good food.