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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, First Session (54-1)
2018-11-14 Daily Xml
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Foodbank South Australia

The Hon. F. PANGALLO (15:30): I rise today to speak on Foodbank South Australia and the absolutely outstanding work it does for some of the most vulnerable and needy people in our community. Thank heavens common sense prevailed yesterday when the Prime Minister did a backflip on the federal government's plans to cut Foodbank Australia's funding, planning to redistribute the money among three charities instead of two, including SecondBite and OzHarvest. Just why and how the decision was made in the first place beggars belief, but at least the Prime Minister was quick to read the emotions and feelings of the community and moved immediately to reverse its decision, wiping the egg off his face by giving Foodbank more funding.

Now that that decision has been made at a federal level, the time is nigh for the Marshall Liberal government to step up to the plate to ensure the brilliant work Foodbank SA does in South Australia not only continues but is able to grow and prosper to meet the increasing demands of people in need. Like most people who are aware of its existence, I am in awe of the work Foodbank SA does. I have toured its headquarters at Edwardstown and recently visited its warehouse in Whyalla as a member of the Select Committee on Poverty.

In simple terms, its core function is to feed those in need by redistributing surplus food. The organisation is the largest hunger relief organisation in South Australia by a long shot. Last year alone, Foodbank SA provided enough food for over five million meals. It does this by working closely with food producers, manufacturers and processors who have surplus but still edible food they wish to get rid of for various reasons. If the product is out of specification, close to date code, has incorrect labelling or damaged packaging, is excess stock or a deleted line the food can not be sold.

Foodbank SA says as much as 30 per cent of all food produced is unsaleable for a variety of reasons so, instead of this food finding itself in a bin, the organisation and its large network of supporters and volunteers swing into action. By various means, this food finds its way to Foodbank's four warehouses throughout the state and again, through various means, that food then finds its way to the people in need.

Over 560 charities and 460 schools can access the food and distribute it to adults and children in need as food parcels, school breakfasts, prepared meals and food hampers. Another way is through its brilliant food hub outlets, which are basically mini supermarkets where people in need are able to purchase food for much greater value for money. To be able to access these hubs, which are currently located in Bowden, Elizabeth, Edwardstown and Mount Gambier, individuals are assessed by welfare partners who issue them with a voucher, which is then used at one of the hubs.

While Foodbank SA does an outstanding job feeding people in need, demand for its services continues to be stretched. That is why it approached all political parties during the last state election requesting $2.5 million a year in funding over the next four years, after which it would be self-funding. It currently receives $250,000 a year from the state government.

Foodbank SA's Greg Pattinson said that with this funding the organisation would be able to deliver at least eight new food hub outlets in metro and regional areas as well as remote Indigenous areas, implement a new adult food education program in sustainable cooking and eating at each of these hubs, get food to more regions of South Australia at a lower cost and continue to underpin food supplies to school breakfast and lunch programs in South Australia either directly or through its charity partners.

Foodbank SA also has plans to introduce mobile food hubs, a bit like a local council mobile library, that can be driven around the suburbs to ensure more people in need are able to access food. The $10 million over four years that Foodbank SA is asking for is a good investment. If Foodbank could no longer operate, the cost to the South Australian government would be more than 10 times the funds being requested. Foodbank is not asking to be fully funded; it will aim to grow its fundraising and sponsorship programs through reduced reliance on the government in coming years.

Maybe thought should be given to shelving the proposed and problematic right-hand tram turn from King William Street into North Terrace, a project that is set to cost taxpayers $37 million, and redirecting those funds to organisations likes Foodbank SA—surely that will be money much better spent.

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