State government funds Foodbank distribution hub opening in Townsville

North Queenslanders struggling with the cost of living crisis will soon have the help they need to ensure food gets on the table. Here’s how.

Foodbank Qld Exec officer Jess Watkinson Premier Steven Miles and Di Farmer at food bank in Morningside. Pic Annette Dew

Townsville will become the home of a much-needed food distribution point for Foodbank Queensland as part of a $2.8m investment from the state government.

The cash, which will help the organisation expand its reach and service delivery in regional Queensland, will help make food more accessible in the North, especially with growing food insecurity issues in the regions.

Some of the funding, which is part of a greater $9m investment into food relief in the budget, will also go towards a second distribution facility in Brisbane.

Foodbank Queensland chief executive officer Jess Watkinson said with the rising cost of living, there was an increase to the number of its members, schools and communities needing access to food relief.

“Our highly efficient team has managed to operate within our current facility for some time, but with the growing needs of Queenslanders, we can no longer support everyone who requires help,” she said.

“This funding will enable us to expand across Queensland, allowing us to increase our distribution to 18 million kilograms of food per year once finalised.

“Amid the current cost-of-living crisis, the demand for food relief in Queensland has reached unprecedented levels.”

Premier Steven Miles said Queenslanders were more often relying on organisations like Foodbank.

“That’s why I’m making sure they have the tools to do what they do best – help Queenslanders in need,” he said.

Mundingburra MP Les Walker said Townsville was not immune to the cost of living crisis.

“(This) is why expanding this service here is important,” he said.

“North Queenslanders are resilient but if someone needs help it’s important people know they can access it through this expansion of Foodbank.

“Having a distribution facility in Townsville means more support for more people because nobody should be unable to put food on the table.”

The $2.8 million for Foodbank Queensland is part of almost $9m the government will provide for critical food relief, including OzHarvest, SecondBite and Meals on Wheels.

Communities Minister Leeanne Encoh said the government was investing in Organisations that help Queenslanders when and where they needed it most.

“This investment of almost $9m is going to have a positive impact on families and individuals doing it tough,” she said.

“Foodbank Queensland provides a vital service feeding Queenslanders, and when disaster strikes, Foodbank lifts even more providing much needed supplies to those that are displaced from their homes.”

Originally published as State government funds Foodbank distribution hub opening in Townsville