2026 Frontline Report
Our annual survey was sent to OzHarvest’s ~1500 current food relief partners and ~1600 organisations on our growing waitlist.
Staff and volunteers from 875 charities responded - their insights provide a critical on-the-ground perspective of food insecurity in Australia.
For media enquiries please contact [email protected]
2026 Frontline Report
Our annual survey was sent to OzHarvest’s ~1500 current food relief partners and ~1600 organisations on our growing waitlist.
Staff and volunteers from 875 charities responded - their insights provide a critical on-the-ground perspective of food insecurity in Australia.
For media enquiries please contact [email protected]
Demand for food relief is soaring
OzHarvest’s charity partners are reporting a steep increase in those seeking support, as cost-of-living pressures soar.
Food relief demand is the canary in the coalmine for broader household economic stress and paints a concerning picture for the future.
70%
36%
There’s a critical gap
Charities are stretched beyond their limits as demand outstrips supply. For the first time in OzHarvest’s history, our waitlist (1600 charities) is longer than those we are able to support (1500).
2/3
74K+
1/5
Food relief is an essential lifeline
While not a long-term solution to food security, food relief stabilises households in crisis and paves the way for other interventions to succeed.
Without relief, households are vulnerable to other social stressors, like poor education outcomes, increased domestic violence, isolation and long-term health consequences.
Charities report improved nutrition (61%), better mental health (54%) and financial stability (48%) in clients accessing food.
The support system is fragile
Many charities are providing services beyond food relief, including financial and employment support, housing assistance, medical services, and educational programs.
Receiving free food from OzHarvest means they can direct limited budgets to other services. Without free OzHarvest food deliveries:
43%
41%
More than half would struggle to collect food independently.
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What needs to be done?
OzHarvest is urging federal, state and territory governments to take immediate steps and a whole-of-system approach to addressing Australia’s food security crisis:
1. Recognise food relief as critical social support infrastructure.
Emergency surge funding is needed for the National Food Relief Sector to meet the current crisis, as well as stronger ongoing funding so that by 2030, all Australians who seek food relief can receive it.
2. Urgent policy change to address the core drivers of food insecurity.
Increase income support payments to support those already doing it tough, and improve housing affordability through public housing and tax concession review. Target support for children and young people through universal school meals and food literacy education.
3. Put people first in the emerging National Food Security Strategy.
Adopt a whole-of-system approach and ensure that a reduction in household food insecurity is a success metric of the Strategy.
For more information please contact [email protected]
