A word from our CEO, Greg Pattinson

Foodbank SA & NT 2023-24 Wrap Up

The 23/24 year saw demand for Foodbank’s services and support increase substantially compared to any previous year. As cost-of-living pressures became the primary cause of food insecurity, many working families across South Australia and Northern Territory began to seek supply of food from our Food Hubs, most for the first time in their lives. The stereotype of the people seeking food assistance also changed – over 60% of people seeking food assistance in 23/24 had jobs and over 30% had mortgages, and there was an increasing geographic spread into suburbs and regions which were previously considered to be well off. 

As a result of these factors, Foodbank SA & NT increased its food distribution by 34% compared to the previous year, with some sites, such as Ceduna and Davoren Park, increasing nearly 100%. This increase in demand created unprecedented pressure right along our supply chain. Our team had to find more essential foods, especially fresh fruit and vegetables and key staple foods, and we were fortunate to be supported by the SA food industry, from the farming sector through to the major retailers. These suppliers stepped up when it was needed, by either donating more food or providing heavily discounted prices. We were also well supported by our freight partners to transport the food to our regional sites. 

The 23/24 year also saw Foodbank SA become Foodbank SA & NT, after being invited by Foodbank Australia to assume responsibility for the Foodbank operations in Darwin. After a six month transition, we opened a new warehouse and Food Hub at Palmerston and this site has gained popularity and patronage by local welfare agencies, schools and government such that it is now our fourth busiest site across our region. This site, along with our Alice Springs site, has firmly entrenched Foodbank SA & NT as the primary supplier of food relief across the whole of the NT and has allowed us to ensure that the NT Government sees us as an essential service partner. We plan to open an additional site in Katherine in the 24/25 year and will utilise the three NT sites to broaden our food distribution to more remote communities, addressing the needs of the most vulnerable peoples in Australia. 

Read more in our 2023/24 Annual Report

I would like to acknowledge the outstanding work of the senior leadership team and all Foodbank staff who have all made contributions to the achievements of the past year. Their professionalism, expertise, and sound business knowledge ensured that Foodbank SA & NT continues to be seen as a highly effective organization by all of our stakeholders. 

Thank you to all of our dedicated staff, volunteers and supporters for caring for people doing it tough. We couldn’t do this without your continued dedication and support. Together, we are ending hunger in South Australia and Northern Territory.

 

– Greg

 

Greg Pattinson 
CEO, Foodbank SA & NT