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RAA and Foodbank join forces for food donations as new hunger stats released

16 October, 2024

More than one third of South Australian households struggled to put food on the table in the past year according to new data from Foodbank – as the charity joins forces with RAA on a vital Food Drive for those in need.

Foodbank’s latest Hunger Report, released today as part of Anti Poverty Week, shows 272,543 South Australian households experienced food insecurity in the past year – up from 255,000 in 2023.

That equates to 35% of all SA households.

Food insecurity is defined as households at the very least reducing the quality, variety or desirability of their food and, at worst, having their eating patterns disrupted due to financial pressure.

The 2024 report also finds:

  • 173,890 South Australian households suffered severe food insecurity – meaning they missed multiple meals or went an entire day without food (up from 150,000 last year).
  • Single-parent households are the hardest hit, with over two thirds (69%) facing food insecurity and 41% experiencing the severest form, regularly skipping meals or going entire days without food.

The data comes as RAA and Foodbank hold their fifth annual Food Drive throughout this week, with South Australians being urged to buy a few extra items in their shop to be donated if they have the means to do so.

Foodbank’s RAA food donation vans – or ‘Mobile Food Hubs’ – are visiting major SA shopping centres throughout the week, collecting much-needed food donations that will be delivered to families battling hunger. Donations can also be dropped off to participating RAA Shops at any time before Sunday.

RAA General Manager Community and Corporate Affairs Emily Perry said RAA’s Mobile Food Hubs distributed the equivalent of more than 500,000 meals to those in need last financial year.

“Everyone has seen the cost of living rise in recent years, and it’s concerning to see how many South Australian households are struggling to put food on the table as a result,” Ms Perry said.

“As the state’s largest member organisation, we feel we have a responsibility to do what we can to help those in our community who need it most, and throwing our support behind the great work Foodbank does is one of the ways we do this each year.

“Our annual Food Drive gets bigger each year as the community support and awareness grows – and we’re again urging South Aussies to look out for the big purple and yellow Mobile Food Hubs at major shopping centres.

“If you have the means to buy a few extra non-perishable items in your shop, they can be dropped off at either our RAA Shops or Mobile Food Hubs this week, to be distributed to South Australian families experiencing food insecurity.”

Foodbank SA & NT CEO Greg Pattinson said his organisation had seen a 35% increase in demand for their services in the last year alone.

“In the past year demand for Foodbank SA’s services has increased by more than a third, as more families turn to us for support than ever before,” Mr Pattinson said.

“Across SA and NT an average of 150,000 people are visiting us every month – and one third of those are children, which is heartbreaking.

“Despite our best efforts to meet growing demand, we estimate that we need an extra 5.3 million kilograms of food to meet demand across both South Australia and the Northern Territory.

“That’s why we really need the community to support our initiatives like the RAA Foodbank Food Drive this week, so we can fill the trucks up and get them out to the communities who need it most.

“The Foodbank RAA Mobile Hubs continue to be a highly effective and innovative method of getting food to struggling families in areas and regional communities where we don’t have a permanent presence – which is also where we’re seeing the biggest increase in demand.”

Donate to the 2024 RAA Foodbank Food Drive

South Australians can donate much-needed food items all week at participating RAA Shops.

They can also donate food or cash at the RAA Mobile Food Hub, which will be stationed at the below locations.

  • Monday 14 October – Barossa Co-op (8am – 12:30pm)
  • Tuesday 15 October – Mount Barker Woolworths (8am – 12:30pm)
  • Wednesday 16 October – Newton Village Shopping Centre (8am – 12:30pm)
  • Thursday 17 October – Westfield Marion (8am – 2pm) 
  • Friday 18 October – Rundle Mall (all day) 

For more information visit www.raa.com.au/foodbank