In the land of plenty, where the sunburnt country meets the sweeping plains, it’s hard to imagine that many Australians are quietly facing a struggle that goes unseen. It’s a struggle that doesn’t discriminate, affecting individuals and families from all walks of life, and it’s exacerbated by a deeply ingrained cultural trait: the reluctance to ask for help due to pride and embarrassment. This is the common Aussie dilemma that’s stopping many from accessing the relief support they desperately need.
Food relief charities across the nation are sounding the alarm, reporting that demand for their services is at an all-time high. As the festive season approaches, a time traditionally associated with abundance and joy, too many Australians are making the heart-wrenching decision to skip meals in order to afford gifts for their loved ones. It’s a silent epidemic, one that’s not often spoken about, but its impact is profound and far-reaching.
Daniel Moorfield, the chief executive of SecondBite, a leading food relief organisation, spoke candidly to A Current Affair about the issue. ‘It’s a silent epidemic that no one wants to talk about,’ he said. The stories are particularly poignant in rural areas, where the fear of being seen at a local food relief centre drives people to travel significant distances for assistance, all to avoid the perceived shame of being recognised by their neighbours.
This issue of pride and embarrassment is a significant barrier, preventing many Australians from reaching out for the help they need. SecondBite’s research has revealed a startling statistic: in the last six months, 30 per cent of Australians have missed a meal due to the escalating cost of living pressures. The demand for SecondBite’s services has surged by 40 per cent, with double-income families and individuals working multiple jobs finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet.
‘People say you can’t miss your home loan repayment, you can’t miss your rent repayment, you can’t miss your insurance, you can’t miss your gas bills but you can miss a meal and that’s what’s happening more than ever,’ Moorfield explained. It’s a stark reminder of the choices some are forced to make, prioritising financial obligations over their own nutrition and well-being.
SecondBite plays a crucial role in the community, collecting and distributing over 25 million kilos of fresh fruit and vegetables annually, which translates to more than 50 million meals. All of this is given away for free, sourced from supermarkets, farmers, growers, and manufacturers, and then distributed to over 1,400 charities across Australia.
Yet, despite the incredible work being done, there’s a staggering amount of food waste in Australia—7.6 million tonnes each year. Moorfield points out that for farmers, it’s often easier to plow surplus food back into the soil than to donate it. He suggests that providing tax relief for farmers who donate their produce could be a powerful incentive, increasing the amount of food available for those in need.
As the not-for-profit sector grapples with how to keep up with the growing demand, SecondBite’s message is clear: help is available, and no one should feel ashamed to ask for it. ‘There’s so many people out there, and they’re going through the Christmas period thinking, how do I do this? You’re not alone,’ Moorfield reassures.
Let’s open up the conversation about this issue and explore ways to overcome the barriers of pride and embarrassment. Have you or someone you know experienced difficulty accessing support when needed? How can we, as a community, work together to ensure no one has to choose between a meal and other essential needs? We’d love to hear your thoughts and ideas in the comments below.
Also read: Charities uncertain of future as younger givers increasingly hard to reach
