Community Partner Story – Citipointe Marketplace Durack

Citipointe Marketplace Durack, located in one of Brisbane’s most culturally diverse suburbs, is a community hub dedicated to more than just providing food. Established in 2011 by Citipointe Church, this initiative has evolved from assembling food packs into a support system that honours the cultural diversity of those it serves. Initially offering typically Western foods, like tins of baked beans, the Marketplace quickly recognised the importance of catering to the unique tastes and practices of its community. Instead of assuming their needs, they asked, “what do you need?” – a question that transformed their approach. Today, Citipointe Marketplace emphasise culturally relevant foods and products creating a deeper, more impactful connection with the communities it supports. 

This connection is evident in the stories of those who have found support, friendship, and even a sense of family within Citipointe Marketplace. Kylie, a dedicated team member of 10 years, shared the success story of Ester, a single mother with eight children, one of whom has a disability. Through sheer determination, Esther has not only managed to put all her children through school but has also pursued work as a carer. She came to the Marketplace regularly, and over time, she developed a bond with Kylie and the team at Citipointe Marketplace. Kylie believes that the Marketplace isn’t just a place to access essentials – it’s a place where lives intertwine, and everyone is supported.  

The volunteers at Citipointe Marketplace recognise the communal spirit needed to run an operation of this size. Kimmy, one of these dedicated volunteers, shares “It takes a whole team, a village.” Their dedication is evident in the hours they spend sorting food, welcoming community members, and helping to foster an environment of warmth and understanding. For truck driver Gordon, who makes regular visits to Foodbank Queensland’s Food Distribution Centre to collect food and groceries, the work he does is about more than just logistics. “I always say hello. I share whatever I have got. Whether it’s love, whether it’s food,” he explains, emphasising the generosity that fuels Citipointe Marketplace. 

At Citipointe Marketplace, each day brings opportunities to meet people and offer support tailored to their unique needs. Kylie recounts her experience with a refugee family struggling to rebuild their lives in a new county, facing significant cultural and professional challenges. The father, once a respected doctor in his home country, faced frustration and pain as he struggled to find work in Australia, leading to a sense of loss, not only of livelihood but also of self-worth. “Can you imagine how many decisions you are used to making yourself today, if you had all that taken off you tomorrow?” Kylie asked.

In their journey to provide meaningful food relief, Citipointe Marketplace has partnered with Foodbank Queensland, to ensure a supply of fresh, nutritious fruit and vegetables. Thanks to this partnership, Citipointe Marketplace receives regular deliveries, including bulk items like zucchini, potatoes, chillies and sweet potatoes, which the community members creatively incorporate into traditional recipes. Kylie marvels at the resourcefulness of the women she works with, noting, “Foodbank Queensland will give us a big pallet of sweet potatoes, and these ladies will use it in one hundred different ways.”

The Marketplace’s partnership with Foodbank Queensland not only enables the community access to a range of fresh and culturally relevant foods but also brings a sense of security. It is a lifeline for many families who face food insecurity. But perhaps even more importantly, it provides a setting for people to come together, connect, cook, and find strength in each other. As Kylie said, “you get to do life with them. That’s the best thing about it.”  

If you are in a position to help Foodbank Queensland provide more food across the state to support Queenslanders in need, please consider joining the fight against hunger as a regular giver.