Food insecurity and hunger is being felt across the nation, with the latest Australian Council of Social Services (ACOSS) report showing that one in eight Australians now live below the poverty line. To help spotlight food insecurity, Kellogg Australia alongside Foodbank WA will host the ‘Kellogg Big Breakfast’ in Bunbury WA.
Research also shows that rural and regional communities are among the hardest hit when it comes to food insecurity, but are often the least talked about. Identifying a hidden hunger crisis in Bunbury, Foodbank WA has seen a 50 per cent increase in local Bunbury households that need support over the past two years, with over 1.3 million meals distributed amongst the community in 2022 alone.
As part of Kellogg’s ongoing Better Days commitment to provide access to food for three billion people globally by 2030; Kellogg employees have prepared over 450 food donation packs, with just under 200 of these going to the local Bunbury community that will be distributed by Foodbank WA to those most affected by food insecurity.
Kellogg managing director for Australia and New Zealand, Anthony Holme, said that as a leading ANZ food manufacturer, it had a critical role to play in helping to overcome the hunger crisis.
“Over the past decade, Kellogg has donated around 43 million servings of food to Aussies in need, and through our partnership with Foodbank we have committed to donating at least 3.75 million serves of cereal and snack foods each year,” said Holme.
Cost of living pressures have resulted in a 90 per cent increase in demand for Foodbank WA services over the past two years. In addition, 59 per cent of people that rely on Foodbank services have paid employment, while 23 per cent have a mortgage. For households depending on benefits, 68 per cent are eating less or skipping meals while 81 per cent are cutting back on meat, fresh fruit, vegetables, and other fresh items.
Foodbank WA CEO Kate O’Hara said: “At Foodbank WA, our purpose is to feed, educate and advocate. Last financial year, we delivered over six million meals to those who were doing it tough. Initiatives like the Kellogg Big Breakfast help us reach local communities and tackle food insecurity from the ground up.”
The Kellogg Big Breakfast will take place on Saturday, 13 May 2023 at The Dolphin Discovery Centre in Bunbury WA, from 9am to 11am.
