Fighting Hunger in Our Backyard: Why Food Relief Matters More Than Ever

In one of the world’s most developed countries, the scale of hunger may come as a shock.

The Foodbank Hunger Report 2024 revealed a sobering truth: 3.4 million Australian households have run out of food in the past year. For many, this isn’t an isolated event—it’s a persistent cycle of missed meals, reduced portions, and going entire days without food. More than half a million households experienced severe food insecurity in the past 12 months, and 34% of all households in Victoria are now impacted.

It’s a crisis felt more acutely in regional areas, where 37% of households are experiencing food insecurity, compared to 32% in metropolitan centres.

 At Flavorite, we grow fresh fruit and vegetables in many of the regions hardest hit by this crisis. As growers and food producers, we feel a deep responsibility to respond, not only by growing food but by sharing it with those who need it most.

Tackling Hunger Through Food Relief

In FY2024, we donated 25,116 kilograms of produce, equivalent to over 50,232 meals, to a network of national and local food relief organisations. One of our key partners is Shepparton Foodshare, a frontline responder helping to nourish the Goulburn Valley and surrounding communities.

Partner Spotlight: Shepparton Foodshare

Driven by its vision to lead a coordinated response to hunger across a diverse community, Shepparton Foodshare plays an essential role in both daily food relief and emergency response efforts.

• Since its establishment, they have distributed 4.7 million kilograms of food, equivalent to 9.4 million meals.
• On average, they provide 390,000 kg of rescued and donated food annually to more than 100 registered agencies, including schools, community kitchens, neighbourhood houses and First Nations support services.
• Their support reaches across the Goulburn Valley and beyond.

What makes Shepparton Foodshare unique is its hub model, which acts as a central connector between businesses, such as Flavorite, that want to donate and the agencies that need food for the people they support.

“The impact of food donations such as those from Flavorite is far-reaching,” says Kate Smith of Shepparton Foodshare. “More than 100 agencies collect our food for the people they support, including emergency relief organisations, schools, faith groups, and neighbourhood houses. The people they serve include individuals, families, children, people experiencing homelessness, and members of our multicultural community.”

Importantly, Foodshare operates on a zero-cost service model, meaning agencies receive food at no charge. This ensures it reaches people facing hardship without barriers. Their operations are largely volunteer-powered, with more than 150 volunteer hours donated weekly. They receive no guaranteed funding, instead relying on fundraising, partnerships, and community support.

According to a study by Think Impact, every dollar invested in Shepparton Foodshare returns $4.17 in social, economic, and environmental value. That’s the kind of impact Flavorite is proud to stand behind. 

Why We Do It

At Flavorite, food donations are about more than generosity; they’re an extension of our values:

• Reducing food waste: Not all produce is retail-perfect, but it’s still perfectly good to eat. By donating rather than discarding, we divert nutritious food from landfill.
• Strengthening communities: Many of our donations stay in the regions where we grow. It’s our way of giving back to the people and places that support us.
• Creating meaningful impact: Through long-term relationships with organisations like Shepparton Foodshare, we’re helping to build food resilience in a changing world.

The fight against food insecurity will take more than one harvest, one grower, or one organisation, but we believe in the power of working together.

If you’re a business, grower, or community leader looking to make a difference through food relief, we encourage you to connect because no one should go hungry.