The 2025 Foodbank Hunger Report reveals a concerning trend: 20% of Australian households are severely food insecure, a 1% increase from the previous year. This means that many Australians are skipping meals or going entire days without eating. The report highlights the growing issue of food insecurity, affecting almost 3.5 million households across the country. In Darwin, Leah Potter, a resident who has been struggling with a broken leg and a pre-existing disability, has noticed an additional delivery fee that has forced her to cut back on her grocery budget. As the cost of living rises, even small expenses can significantly impact one's financial situation. Ms. Potter has had to make difficult choices, such as eliminating meat from her diet, to stay within her budget. The situation is not limited to individuals; families are also affected. Ms. Potter observes a shift in the demographics of those visiting the soup kitchen she manages, noting an increase in families and people who would not typically be associated with homeless kitchens. The Hunger Report also reveals that food insecurity is not limited to low-income households. Almost half of all renting households and one in five households with an annual income over $91,000 have experienced food insecurity in the past year. The issue is further exacerbated by the fact that many households, despite having some form of employment, are still struggling to make ends meet. The federal government's efforts to address the cost of living, such as energy bill relief and Medicare levies, have not significantly impacted grocery expenses, according to the report. Foodbank Australia's CEO, Kylea Tink, emphasizes that hunger is now a mainstream issue in Australia. She calls for a tax incentive to encourage farmers, growers, and manufacturers to donate surplus produce, rather than sending it to landfills, to increase the availability of donated food. Tink highlights the dire consequences of food insecurity, including the uncertainty of what to pack in children's lunch boxes. She urges the Australian government to take action to bridge the gap and support those affected by food insecurity across the country.
