Australia is facing a significant food insecurity crisis, with tens of thousands of individuals falling victim each month to what has been termed a “national emergency hiding in plain sight”. According to a recent OzHarvest survey, around 50,000 people are being refused assistance from food charities each month – a staggering 54 per cent rise from the 32,467 reported in 2024. Alarmingly, 31 per cent of these individuals are seeking food aid for the first time, with families and single parents constituting the largest demographics.
OzHarvest founder Ronni Kahn has labelled this situation a dire food security crisis, emphasising that many Australians are now forced to compromise on their food needs due to the escalating cost of living, stagnant wages, and soaring housing and utility expenses. The survey revealed that 77 per cent of charities noted an increase in those requiring food assistance last year, with 72 per cent stating they lack sufficient supplies to meet the growing demand.
South Australia experienced the steepest increase in need at 82 per cent, closely followed by Victoria at 81 per cent, Queensland at 79 per cent, and New South Wales at 78 per cent. OzHarvest is actively engaged with 1,550 charities across Australia, many of which are operating at their limits, while an additional 1,200 charities are waiting for food support.
Kahn has called on the government to establish a dedicated minister for food, to strengthen coordination on food security, waste reduction, and food system solutions. She is also advocating for sustainable funding to support essential food rescue initiatives, along with meaningful measures to alleviate cost-of-living pressures. Despite the sector’s provision of 160 million meals annually, Kahn expressed that this quantity is vastly insufficient.
The lack of government support for those grappling with food insecurity is profoundly disappointing. Kahn urged for immediate action, stressing that while there is an urgent need for support to feed the hungry today, systematic leadership and policy reforms are crucial to ensure no one faces hunger in the future. She underscored the gravity of the situation, declaring, “This is above politics — this is people’s lives.”