The 2024 Foodbank Hunger Report shows close to 700,000 Queenslanders are suffering through lack of healthy and nutritious food

Close to 700,000 Queensland households can’t put enough food on the table to stay healthy, happy and out of hunger.  

The Foodbank Hunger Report shows Queenslanders are feeling the bite when it comes to finding sufficient food to feed themselves and their families. 

Foodbank Queensland CEO Jess Watkinson said the Hunger Report findings showed a critical need for more to be done to alleviate food insecurity. 

“1 in 5 Queensland households skipped meals or scrimped on their serving sizes in the last 12 months because of severe food insecurity,” Ms Watkinson said. 

“Food insecurity is being felt more acutely in regional areas, with 36% of regional households facing food insecurity in the last 12 months, compared with 28% in metropolitan areas.” 

“Knowing where to find food relief support has increased from 36% last year to 47% this year. This is a glimmer of hope that those going without are finding out and accessing food relief; however, this shows that Foodbank Queensland’s role is more critical than ever.”  

Key Queensland statistics:  

  • Close to 700,000 Queensland households have experienced food insecurity in the last 12 months, meaning they aren’t eating quality, variety, or desirable food.  
  • 1 in 5 Queensland households have experienced severe food insecurity in the last 12 months, meaning they are reducing serving sizes of meals or skipping eating. 
  • Nearly half (44%) of Queensland’s low-income households (earning less than $30,000 per year) are experiencing food insecurity. 
  • Over 1 in 5 (22%) Queensland households with an income of more than $95,000 are food insecure. 
  • More than 1 in 4 (26%) of mortgage holders in Queensland experienced food insecurity in the last 12 months. 
  • Food insecurity is being felt more acutely in regional areas (36%) compared to metropolitan areas (28%).  
  • Awareness of food relief support in Queensland is growing with 47% of food insecure households knowing where to seek food relief support in the past 12 months compared to 36% in 2023.