The City of Casey’s 2024 Annual Household Survey found that 40% of residents had experienced food insecurity in the previous 12 months.

11% of those had run out of food and couldn’t afford to buy more. 22% had reduced the size of meals or skipped meals because there wasn’t enough money for food. 23% had been unable to afford fresh produce; and 30% were worried that they would run out of money to buy food.

These alarming numbers are backed up by OzHarvest’s Community Needs Survey which found that the demand for food relief is at an all-time high.

Emergency food relief providers in Casey are under increasing pressure to meet this rising demand, and food costs, volunteer and staff fatigue is stretching services thin.

Providers need flexible, ongoing funding and support to deliver culturally appropriate food and connect people to housing, health, and other support services.

The City of Casey urges State and Commonwealth governments to provide ongoing, sustainable funding for essential food rescue and distribution across the municipality. Specifically, we need to see additional funding for warehouse food rescue and distribution points in Casey as well as delivery vans.

Council also calls on governments to invest in long-term solutions, including affordable housing and income support to meet the real cost of living.