How do we meet demand?  

9.2 million. That’s the number of meals we provided last financial year across Western Australia.  

We work with farmers, wholesalers, manufactures and retailers who donate and redirect surplus product to us but to meet demand we are always working behind the scenes to see how we can better support our customers and provide them with a wide and varied products to choose from. 

While the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on families and individuals has been devastating, many businesses have also been impacted greatly due to manufacturing, labour, logistical and transportation costs rising exponentially. This has meant that many of our donors have had to reassess how they operate, to ensure more efficiency and many, as a result, also donate less. One such example is protein products. The last two years have seen a dramatic drop, 66% to be exact in the amount of protein that is donated.   

To ensure a constant and consistent supply of fruit, vegetables, meat and shelf-stable items, we keep a very close eye on volumes of food that are donated so that we can bridge the gap where its required. 

With our customer base growing each day, last year we applied to the Department of Communities for a $500,000 grant to purchase additional sources of protein, creating our first Protein Supply Program. 

Our amazing donors Inghams, DBC and Westpork, Harvey Beef, Craig Mostyn Group and Austral Fisheries who generously donate to us on a weekly basis, have in addition to this, generously offered us reduced rates to purchase additional protein at a discounted fee whenever they have excess stock on hand. 

Thanks to our donors and to the generous grant from the Department of Communities, we have been able to keep up with the increase in demand we see across our branches across the state. We continue to innovate to create a sustainable and continuous supply of food that meets growing demand and ensures protein isn’t just a ‘sometimes’ food for our customers. 

This community effort and collective responsibility means that the most vulnerable in our community can have healthy and nutritious meals available for themselves and their families.