The Cost of Living Crisis and the Hidden Hunger in Our Communities

In this episode of Stronger Together, IMPACT Community Services Managing Director Tanya O’Shea sits down with Jess Watkinson, General Manager of Foodbank Queensland, to explore the growing issue of food insecurity and the ongoing cost of living crisis affecting Queenslanders.

Jess shares how Foodbank Queensland operates as the state’s largest hunger relief organisation, collecting and distributing more than 13 million kilograms of food every year to people doing it tough. From the incredible generosity of Queensland farmers to the logistics of managing warehouses, trucks and “surprise chains,” Jess explains how her team turns surplus food into vital support for communities across the state.

The conversation moves beyond food relief to the broader challenge of achieving food equity – ensuring that every Queenslander can access nutritious, affordable food regardless of their circumstances. Jess also discusses the importance of collaboration across sectors, from local charities and farmers to government and corporate partners, and the need for a national food donation tax incentive to better support primary producers.

Tanya and Jess also discuss Anti-Poverty Week, held from 12 to 18 October, and Jess’s role as Co-Chair of the Queensland Committee. Together with Penny Kramer from Play Matters, Jess is leading an initiative to raise awareness of poverty in Australia, including an event at Parliament House that highlights campaigns like Raise the Rate, End Child Poverty and Everybody’s Home.

Throughout the episode, Jess shares powerful insights about the stigma of food relief, the importance of data in driving change, and how community collaboration can build a Queensland without hunger. She reminds listeners that food is a human right, and that poverty and food insecurity can affect anyone – even dual-income families.

Listeners are encouraged to visit foodbank.org.au to find food relief near them, or the Anti-Poverty Week website to learn how they can take action and add their voice to the call for change.

If this conversation raises difficult feelings, please reach out for help. Lifeline offers 24/7 support at 13 11 14. In the Wide Bay Burnett region, IMPACT Community Services is here to help. Visit impact.org.au and click Make a Referral to self-refer.

Together, we can create a future where no Queenslander goes hungry, because we are stronger together.

Thank you for listening to this episode of "Stronger Together" We hope you enjoyed the conversation and gained valuable insights.

Stay connected with us:

• Follow us on Twitter
• Like our Facebook page
• Visit our website
• Subscribe to our YouTube channel
• Connect with us on LinkedIn

Don't forget to subscribe to our podcast to stay updated on future episodes. Remember, we are STRONGER TOGETHER.

Transcript

Welcome to Stronger Together, a powerful podcast series hosted by IMPACT Community Services. I'm Tanya O’Shea, managing director of IMPACT, and I have the pleasure of front lining this little passion project of ours. In the podcast, we dig into some of the many social problems that people are facing within communities and chat with guests willing to have the hard conversations. We want you to be informed and updated on the latest information, yet we’re also aware that some of the topics address sensitive issues. We acknowledge that this could be triggering or distressing for some listeners, and we encourage you to pause the episode and seek immediate support. Information on where to seek help will be provided at the end of each episode.

Before we begin, together we move towards an inclusive future by acknowledging the unceded lands of the Butchulla, Gureng Gureng, Wakka Wakka, Kabi Kabi, Wulli Wulli, Taribelang, Gurang and Byali peoples. Now let’s dive into this episode of Stronger Together.

Hi everyone. In the community, we are hearing a lot about the cost of living crisis. People are finding it really challenging to make decisions about where they’re spending their money because it’s in short supply. Are we spending it on food to put on the table, or to clothe our children so they can go to school, or on vital medication? People are having to decide whether to spend money on food or to forgo meals so they can afford other essentials.

I feel incredibly privileged today to have Jess Watkinson from Foodbank Queensland with us. Jess and I first met as committee members on the 2025 Anti-Poverty Committee for Queensland. I’m so excited that you were able to join us. Foodbank Queensland is an incredible organisation whose work is easily recognisable. You are leaders in supporting Queenslanders and everyday Australians experiencing food insecurity.

Jess shared that her journey wasn’t planned. After living in Darwin and working in the not-for-profit and government sectors for over 20 years, she moved into Foodbank Queensland. Early in her career, she worked with Red Cross on food security and school breakfast programs, and later with YWCA and both the Northern Territory and Queensland governments. When the opportunity arose at Foodbank, she knew it was right because food is a human right. Despite lacking experience in logistics and warehousing, she saw the importance of the mission.

Jess explained that one in three households in Australia experience some level of food insecurity, and one in five experience hunger—meaning they skip meals or go days without eating. It’s terrifying, she said, but working for a cause she’s passionate about gives her purpose.

Foodbank Queensland’s warehouse in Morningside spans 1,800 square metres, and they’ve recently opened a second facility over 3,000 square metres. The organisation handles around 13 to 14 million kilograms of food per year, much of it donated by Queensland farmers. About 46% of the food is fresh fruit and vegetables. Foodbank acts as a simple solution to surplus food, collecting it from farms and distributing it to member organisations or partner charities like FareShare that prepare frozen meals.

Jess prefers to call it a “surprise chain” rather than a supply chain, as donations are unpredictable. Farmers, manufacturers, and companies contribute through farm gate collections, national partnerships, and collaborative supply programs where various partners donate ingredients, manufacturing time, or packaging to produce items like pasta. Ninety per cent of what Foodbank distributes is donated, but they purchase essential items such as canned protein and long-life products when necessary.

She noted that Foodbank advocates for a national food donation tax incentive so farmers can receive tax offsets for the cost of products they donate, recognising that farming is financially challenging. The organisation charges minimal handling fees on some items to cover costs, while fresh fruit, vegetables, bread, meat, and milk are provided free. Only about 20% of Foodbank’s funding comes from government; the rest comes from fundraising, corporate partnerships, and donations.

Programs like the school breakfast initiative help improve attendance, behaviour, and concentration among students. Place-based programs such as Feeding Queensland Kids in Ipswich, Mornington Island, and Bundaberg address specific community barriers to food access. Collaboration is key—Foodbank works with partners like Share the Dignity, Baby Give Back, and Thread Together to address broader basic needs efficiently.

Jess emphasised that accessing food relief should never be shameful. The stigma remains, but food is a human right. Increasingly, dual-income households are struggling, many experiencing food insecurity for the first time. Foodbank’s website includes a “Find Food” button where people can locate local food relief providers.

Moving from food relief to food equity, Jess said the organisation is focusing on addressing the root causes of food insecurity through collaboration and systemic change. Foodbank works with CSIRO on sustainable food systems and recognises that as waste decreases through efficiency, fewer surplus donations will be available, so their model must adapt. Cost of living pressures like rising rent, fuel, and healthcare are the top reasons people struggle to afford food.

In remote regions, food can cost up to three times more than in metropolitan areas. Foodbank’s Hunger Map shows where food insecurity is most prevalent and highlights areas with limited food relief access. Jess said disaster preparedness is another focus, as food-insecure households are often the least able to prepare for or recover from disasters.

As co-chair of Queensland’s Anti-Poverty Week Committee, Jess works alongside Penny Kramer, CEO of Play Matters. Together they are hosting an event at Parliament House on 14 October to raise awareness about poverty and promote campaigns such as End Child Poverty, Raise the Rate, and Everybody’s Home. The event features people with lived experience of poverty and aims to engage parliamentarians in understanding the issue.

To symbolise the reality of food insecurity, attendees will receive small breakfast bags similar to those provided in school programs, containing cereal, milk, fruit cups, and muesli bars. Jess said this approach replaces traditional catered food with something more authentic and thought-provoking.

Nutritional value is another focus. Jess explained that individual packaged foods are often less nutritious and more expensive. Foodbank prioritises healthy options and avoids sugary or low-value products, particularly for school programs, to promote long-term health and prevent chronic disease.

Foodbank’s work is guided by data such as the annual Hunger Report and the Foodbank Hunger Map. These tools inform their advocacy, planning, and collaboration with other relief organisations. Data shows that together, Queensland’s food relief providers meet only about 37% of the need.

Jess said what gives her hope is the collaboration across the sector—organisations working together, not competing. Partnerships with OzHarvest, SecondBite, FareShare, and others allow them to deliver programs like Feeding Queensland Kids more effectively.

She believes change will come through collective action and people using their voices. Signing up for national campaigns and showing political support for ending poverty can make a real difference.

Currently, 2.34 million Australians, including 774,000 children, live below the poverty line—defined as $489 a week for a single adult or $1,027 for a couple with two children. Many parents are skipping meals so their children can eat. Poverty impacts both physical and mental health, and Jess believes it is unacceptable in a country like Australia.

Tanya thanked Jess for her generosity and insights, acknowledging the important work of Foodbank Queensland and the Anti-Poverty Week Committee. She reminded listeners to visit the Anti-Poverty Week website to support campaigns and the Foodbank site to access food relief if needed. There is no shame in seeking help.

The episode closed with information about support services. If this conversation has affected you, Lifeline offers 24/7 support at 13 11 14. For those in the Wide Bay Burnett region, IMPACT Community Services provides help via impact.org.au, where you can self-refer. Thank you for tuning in. Remember, we are stronger together.