In a state as vast and diverse as Western Australia, ensuring everyone has access to healthy, nutritious food is no easy feat. But the team at Foodbank WA is tackling this challenge head-on through a series of innovative strategies that are truly transforming food security in the region.
Recently, I spoke with the CEO of Foodbank WA, Kate O'Hara and she spoke about their mission of making healthy food for all, a basic human right. It's an ambitious goal, but the organisation is pursuing creativity, collaboration, and a deep understanding of the complex realities facing the communities they serve.
Rethinking the Food Supply Chain
One of Foodbank WA's key innovations has been completely rethinking how they source food. Instead of relying on the traditional supply chain, they've built deep relationships directly with growers, packing sheds, and markets across the state to get fresh fruit and vegetable supply.
This includes providing dedicated collection bins for "ugly" produce that's often wasted, as well as implementing systems to minimise handling and preserve quality. The result? A significant increase in the volume of fresh, nutritious food Foodbank WA can distribute.
Bringing Food Directly to Communities
Recognising the unique challenges of food distribution across the wide area of WA, Foodbank WA has introduced an innovative mobile service to meet these needs. They now operate in 76 locations each week where they bring food hampers and bundles directly to the communities that need it most.
By partnering with local organisations like churches, community centres, and social service providers, Foodbank WA is able to connect people in need with not just food, but also the wraparound support they may require.
Empowering People Through Nutrition Education
In addition to getting food to those in need, Foodbank WA is also focused on empowering people with the knowledge and skills to prepare healthy, affordable meals. For almost 2 decades, the organisation developed a Nutrition Education Program for parents of zero to five, then a schools program, a youth program, an adult program, and an all abilities program.
In 2022, government funding for the program ended but they didn’t simply shut it down. Instead, they rebranded it as "Nom" , a nod to the joy of eating nutritious food, and began offering it as a fee-for-service to local governments, councils, and other agencies.
The Nom program offers a series of workshops and hands-on cooking classes for parents, schools, youth, adults, and people with disabilities. And now, Foodbank WA is working to licence the program so other organisations can deliver it in communities across the country.
Overcoming Unique Challenges
We all know that implementing these innovative strategies hasn't been without its challenges. As a state-based organisation serving a vast geographic area, Foodbank WA has had to get creative to overcome the "tyranny of distance" that plagues Western Australia.
The organisation has had to find ways to get fresh produce from regional hubs like Bunbury to remote communities in the Pilbara and Kimberley regions. This has involved partnerships with other food relief organisations, as well as working directly with growers and producers to streamline the supply chain.
Driving Systemic Change
Ultimately, Foodbank WA's innovative approach is about more than just getting food to those in need. It's about driving systemic change to ensure healthy food is truly accessible for all Western Australians.
Kate shared that if there’s a tax incentive and a tax relief system, something currently being explored by the government, it could significantly reduce the cost for growers to send products to food relief systems, a more equitable food system benefiting not just the Foodbank, but the entire food relief network. It's a holistic, long-term approach that reflects the organisation's deep commitment to its mission. As Foodbank WA continues to push the boundaries of what's possible. Kate hopes their innovative approach will inspire others to think differently about the challenge of food insecurity.
By prioritising healthy food as a basic human right and implementing creative, collaborative solutions, Foodbank WA is leading the way in ensuring no one is left behind. It's an inspiring model that could have far-reaching impacts, not just in Western Australia, but across the country.
🎯 Are you looking to create a high performing not-for-profit organisation that delivers more impact? Let us help you to unlock innovation within your organisation with our innovate for impact workshop. Click here to find out more.
Comments