SecondBite has opened the doors to its new warehouse in Morningside, Queensland. The facility enables the not-for-profit to double its food rescue efforts in Queensland to 12 million kilograms or 24 million meals per year.
The increased size of the facility means SecondBite can significantly scale-up its Queensland operations with double the internal floor space (1200m2) as well as extended chiller and freezer capacity.
During the last financial year, SecondBite rescued 6 million kilograms or 12 million meals in Queensland. By moving to the new warehouse, it can now effectively double its food rescue efforts to 12 million kilograms or 24 million meals.
SecondBite CEO Daniel Morefield the increased capacity of the new location couldn’t come at a better time and poised the non-profit to support the growing needs of Queenslanders.
“We work with more than 227 charity partners in Queensland and this warehouse will service both metro and regional areas, helping to feed millions of hungry Queenslanders from as far as Mossman and Mt Isa in the north all the way to Burleigh Heads in the south,” said Moorfield.
A team of 12 employees are already working at the new facility, equipped with five fleet vehicles used to collect food from donors and bring it back to the warehouse where produce and other items are sorted and packed for more than 50 charity partners that come for collection each week.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Queensland government as well as our charity partners and donors who have made this move possible.
“With just under 50 per cent of SecondBite’s Queensland stock coming through this warehouse site, their generosity means our operations are future-proofed to help connect the dots between the oversupply of food, and the Queenslanders who can’t afford to buy it,” said Moorfield.
The move and fit out was made possible through $491,639 in Queensland government for a freezer and 14 pallet truck; $338,241 worth of donations from the Charles and Cornelia Goode Foundation contributing to coolroom installation, modular buildings, signage, pallet racking, and a forklift; $200,000 from the Bowden Marstan Foundation for lease costs and $12,500 from the Pavetta Foundation, adding cool room and freezer temperature sensors, a freezer ramp, food containers for the Domestic Violence Meal Program and power upgrades.
Minister for employment and small business and minister for training and skills, Dianne Farmer officially opened the site, saying the funding provided by Queensland government would ‘flow through’ to help Queenslanders on the ground who are grappling to make ends meet.
“Having been involved in community organisations like Bulimba Meals on Wheels, I’ve seen first-hand the critical need of many in our community and the important work that goes into ensuring our most vulnerable are supported.
“SecondBite was successful in securing funding in Round 2 of the Food Rescue Grant Program to be allocated to infrastructure, equipment and operational costs to divert additional food from landfill and redistribute it to Queenslanders in need. I would like to warmly welcome SecondBite to the Bulimba electorate. It will feel at home in this incredibly community-minded area,” said Farmer.
SecondBite commenced its Queensland operations in 2012. The new warehouse location was chosen for its close proximity to the gateway motorway making it convenient for major donors and charity partners to access, and its indoor area, which includes a 600m2 covered yard that can fit semi-trailers, a secure yard and dual roller doors.
