Food for thought: Australian Food affordability at all-time low

Families on “double incomes” and singles “working two jobs” are Australia’s devastating new face of needy this Christmas, fuelling a sharp rise in demand for food assistance.

Families on “double incomes” and singles “working two jobs” are Australia’s devastating new face of needy this Christmas, fuelling a sharp rise in demand for food assistance.

A survey has found a 41 per cent rise in the number of people putting their hand out for help nationally, compared to last year.

And charities are trying to remove the stigma that can come with seeking relief, especially among those embarrassed that “they haven’t been as successful as they should have been”.

“A lot more people who have never needed food relief before, (are) accessing it,” SecondBite CEO Daniel Moorfield, whose organisation conducted the survey for the second time among its national charity partners.

A SecondBite survey of more than 300 charities found a 41 per cent rise in the number of people putting their hand out for help nationally, compared to last year. Picture: Supplied

“You’d be surprised how many friends, family and colleagues are [accessing food relief] and it’s people who might be double income, or working two jobs.”

The report, involving more than 300 charities, showed a 77 per cent increase in the number of double-income families seeking food.

For these households, food relief provides short-term assistance when times are tough.

But, disturbingly, Mr Moorfield said some people in need were choosing to miss meals instead of accessing food banks.

“No one wants to talk about it,” Mr Moorfield said.

SecondBite CEO Daniel Moorfield.

Major Gary Masters of The Salvation Army.

The Salvation Army’s Major Gary Masters said many of those now seeking help had previously been the ones giving to others.

“(They are saying) not only can I not give to help others, but I actually have to ask for help,” he said.

SecondBite’s report found that 65 per cent more people were receiving weekly food relief than in 2022.

Across Australia it is not unusual to see crowds of people queuing up to receive assistance from food banks.

Mr Moorfield and Major Masters said the rising cost of living was to blame.

“People are having to make those difficult decisions about whether they pay the rent or whether they put food on the table,” Major Masters said.

It is possible to get ahead in a cost of living crisis. Picture: iStock

“You can’t miss your rent repayment, you can’t miss your home loan repayment, you can’t miss your insurance costs, but you can miss a meal,” Mr Moorfield said.

“It’s always tough around this time (Christmas).”

Mr Moorfield said Australia has enough food to feed everyone, but “what we need to do is work together”.

This year, Australians can help by supporting SecondBite’s Christmas Appeal, as well as The Salvation Army.