FOODBANK SA OPENS WHYALLA FOOD HUB TO HELP STRUGGLING SOUTH AUSTRALIANS IN THE REGION 

The Whyalla Food Hub is set to help those struggling to put food on the table in the Whyalla region.  Foodbank Whyalla has been serving the Whyalla community for more than 10 years. Working with more than 52 local agencies and schools in the Whyalla region, Foodbank has distributed in excess of 250,000 kilograms in Whyalla over the last 12 months. This has enabled Foodbank to put more than 500,000 nutritious meals on the table for families & individuals in need living in Whyalla this year alone. This is on top of the 3 million meals already distributed in the region over the last decade.  

Foodbank have now established a Foodbank Food Hub to assist the growing number of families in the region who are struggling to put food on the table. Foodbank officially opened the Whyalla Food Hub on 6 March 2020.  

The Foodbank Food Hub will enable Foodbank Whyalla to distribute an additional 50,000 kg for those in the region in the first 12 months of operation, equivalent to an additional 100,000 meals for families in need, and this will increase further in the second year. 

Foodbank Food Hub will allow low income families a place to access items at an affordable price. The Whyalla Food Hub will enable community agencies to refer their clients who are in need of food relief, reducing the burden placed on agencies caused by the rising level of need. Importantly it will provide a dignified shopping experience for those experiencing food insecurity.   

“The need for the Whyalla Food Hub has been highlighted with the sheer increase of need in the area, we have seen a growth in the requirement for our services via the agencies over several years,” said Greg Pattinson, CEO, Foodbank South Australia. 

“The impact of food insecurity is diverse in Australia, ranging from children to older people, and statistics show that 5 million Australians have experienced food insecurity in the last 12 months. In the Whyalla region, it is such a diverse range of clients requiring our services. Recent studies show that someone living in a regional area is actually 33% more likely to require food relief. 

“The Whyalla Foodbank food hub is set up like a general store where those in need can have a dignified shopping experience and purchase items at a significantly reduced cost. What might cost $240 in a supermarket may only cost $30 through a Foodbank Food Hub, with all fruit and vegetables free of charge. 

The opening of the Foodbank Whyalla Food Hub will also enable the delivery of nutritional education. These sessions will provide basic cooking and nutrition information to the struggling families in the region.  

 ”There’s a focus on healthy food items including affordable recipe packs and readymade meals. Cooking classes and food education will now also be offered on site thanks to the support of BHP,“ Mr Pattinson said. 

Foodbank Whyalla are currently looking for volunteers to help in the Whyalla Food Hub, you can register interest by visiting www.foodbanksa.org.au  

Foodbank could not do this without the support from our amazing supporters:  

•          Major Sponsor - BHP
•          Financial support – Whyalla Council
•          School Breakfast & Fruit & Veg Sponsor- GFG Alliance
•          Port Adelaide Football Club
•          Shelving and displays – Coles & OTR
•          Display bins - Woolworths
•          Checkout counters – Romeos Foodland
•          IT setup, Computers and cabling - ElectraNet.  

The Foodbank Food Hub is located at 10 Jacobs St, Whyalla Norrie.