Matt Preston helps launch the Coles SecondBite Winter Appeal to help feed Australians in need

Coles today launched its annual appeal for national food rescue charity SecondBite to help feed Aussies doing it tough this winter.

Matt Preston and volunteer Rosie Italiano are doing their bit to help feed Australia’s less fortunate this winter. Photos: Rebecca Michael

Coles in partnership with SecondBite has kicked off its winter appeal today, encouraging customers to purchase a $2 donation card at the checkout, which can provide up to 10 meals to someone in need.

As part of the appeal, renowned food critic Matt Preston spent a morning pitching in at Victoria’s Mornington Community Support Centre Food Pantry and Cafe, a SecondBite partner charity.

Mr Preston, who has been actively involved with SecondBite for 12 years, said the Coles SecondBite Winter Appeal is an initiative that not only provides food relief but also fosters a sense of community for those in need.

Matt Preston and Rosie Italiano help out at Mornington Community Support Centre cafe. Picture: Rebecca Michael

“The Mornington Peninsula support centre gives you an image of what is happening over at thousands of other charities around Australia that rely on SecondBite for the services they provide. People in need come down here and fill up their bags with fruit and veg, it’s a really wholesome thing and incredibly efficient,” he said.

“Obviously Covid brought a whole lot of people to our charity partners looking for fruit and veg because money was tight, but also they were looking for community as well. That’s the thing about these programs, they are judgement free grocery distribution places where you go and see other people who are also struggling … that side of things is really, really important. We see a lot of different people coming through, the demand here on the Mornington Peninsula is up by 50 per cent, and that is just incredible.”

He believes the combination of increasing fresh fruit and vegetables prices, rental increases and mortgage stress is driving the demand on food charities.

SecondBite research conducted by YouGov revealed that 76 per cent of Australians struggle more in winter, with 57 per cent of respondents pointing to high energy bills as a major cause of financial stress.

Demand at the Mornington Community Support Centre is up by 50 per cent this year. Picture: Rebecca Michael

SecondBite CEO Daniel Moorfield said as the need for food relief is heightened during the winter months and he urged shoppers to support the appeal.

“The need for food relief is exacerbated this winter as many vulnerable Aussies are faced with choosing between heating or eating, finding they can no longer make their budget work to cover the necessities. The funds raised at Coles will help SecondBite to meet the increased demands and will help us to continue to rescue and deliver nutritious food free of charge to more than 1,000 community food partners,” he said.

“Our partnership with SecondBite extends beyond raising funds so that they can continue their essential service of delivering rescued food to vulnerable Australians. Together, we are also tackling food waste by diverting unsold, edible food from landfill and onto the plates of those who need it most. Since 2011, Coles has donated the equivalent of over 250 million meals to SecondBite with food rescued from our supermarkets and distribution centres.”

There are also more ways than ever to support SecondBite at Coles this winter with brands Chobani, Mount Franklin, Nando’s and the Natural Chip Co. also joining the cause, with a portion of sales from selected products sold in all Coles supermarkets or on Coles Online going towards the appeal.

Rosie Italiano knows first hand how important food charities are in times of crisis. Picture: Rebecca Michael

Rosie Italiano has experienced SecondBite first hand – as a recipient of the charity and now, as a volunteer.

“My life has been filled with incredible highs and plenty of lows, and in the last couple of years there was quite a bit of financial pressure … life gets to you. In my most deflating moments, I came to the community centre and that was my safe place,” she said.

“At the start, I was so embarrassed and mortified, I was so used to helping other people, that it was a hard time asking for help for myself. But, everyone has a story here and there is no judgement.”

Ben Smith, CEO of the Mornington Community Support Centre said stereotypes aside, anybody on a fixed income or address can be in need, and initiatives like the Coles SecondBite Winter Appeal are essential to meet demand.

“I’d say close to 65 per cent of our clients now are in some sort of private accommodation. That number, 65 per cent, a couple of years ago, would have related to clients who are in public housing.

“We’re seeing people who, just a few years ago were standing on their own two feet and able to cope, and now have to reach out and take that extra help. That could be anyone on a government plan like a pension or Jobseeker to a shift worker or nurse.”

“Asking for help is sometimes seen as really bad, like you’ve failed at life, but what we’ve really tried to do here is to help people understand that, that’s part of life.”

The Coles SecondBite Winter Appeal runs until July 30.