Responding to food insecurity on the Gold Coast
Having reliable access to nutritious food is essential for health and wellbeing. However, rising household costs can make it difficult for people to consistently afford the food they need.
More than one in eight Australian households experienced food insecurity due to a lack of money for food in 2023, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. This represented 13.2 per cent, or 1.3 million households across Australia.
On the Gold Coast, New Life Community Care Foodbarn helps people experiencing financial hardship access affordable groceries, fresh produce and food parcels.
Based in Arundel, New Life Foodbarn welcomes people experiencing financial difficulties, pensioners and eligible concession-card holders. Its services include affordable groceries, available rescued food, food parcels and delivery support.
New Life Foodbarn Senior Pastor and CEO Phil Whiting said the organisation provides more than 10,000 meals each week, including home deliveries from Jacobs Well to Currumbin.
The Foodbarn also works with local charities, community organisations and referral partners to help food reach people facing difficult circumstances.
For many people, the service provides more than affordable food. New Life Foodbarn offers a welcoming place where people can access practical support with dignity and feel connected to their community.
Watch the video or keep reading below
Making affordable food more accessible
New Life Foodbarn has supported the Gold Coast community with affordable fresh food, practical assistance and a welcoming environment since 2008.
People can visit the Foodbarn to shop for groceries at reduced prices or arrange food parcels for pickup or delivery.
The service helps individuals, families, pensioners, carers and other community members who may be finding it difficult to manage household food costs.
Food parcels can include essential groceries, meat, bread and chilled items, with fruit, vegetables and other grocery options also available. Current parcel options, availability and information about who can access the service are available on the New Life Foodbarn food-parcel page.
The Foodbarn currently opens for shopping on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings. Food parcels are available for pickup and delivery on Wednesdays and Thursdays, subject to availability. Readers should check the Foodbarn website for current times before visiting or ordering.
By rescuing suitable food and making groceries more affordable, New Life Foodbarn helps reduce waste while extending practical support across the Gold Coast.
Renewing support for New Life Foodbarn
ETC has provided $26,500 through the ETC Community Support Fund to support operational improvements at New Life Foodbarn.
This is the second time New Life Foodbarn has received support through the ETC Community Support Fund, continuing ETC’s support for the organisation’s food relief, volunteering and community participation.
The latest contribution has supported improved refrigeration and working conditions, repairs to a forklift and food-delivery vehicles, and the purchase of electrical pallet-handling equipment.
These improvements help New Life Foodbarn safely receive, store, sort and distribute rescued and affordable food across the Gold Coast.
The new equipment is also designed to reduce manual handling and make everyday tasks safer and more manageable for volunteers and community participants.
Building on earlier support
In the previous funding round, ETC provided $7,500 through the Community Support Fund for air conditioning in New Life Foodbarn’s food-parcel work area.
The air conditioning was intended to improve comfort and efficiency for the people preparing food parcels for the community.
The latest support builds on that practical improvement by helping New Life Foodbarn strengthen other parts of its food storage, handling and distribution operations.
Together, the two contributions recognise that providing reliable food relief requires suitable working conditions, equipment and transport, as well as the food and volunteers at the heart of the service.
Watch how ETC’s previous $7,500 contribution supported air conditioning for New Life Foodbarn’s food-parcel work area.
A place to contribute and connect
New Life Foodbarn’s impact extends beyond its shelves, food parcels and delivery service.
Its workforce includes around 33 volunteers from different ages and backgrounds, along with people completing approved community participation and work-experience activities.
New Life Foodbarn also hosts participants referred through employment, rehabilitation and community agencies.
These opportunities allow people to contribute to practical tasks while building confidence, routine, workplace experience and connections with others.
ETC Work Experience Coordinator Aileen Wallace said New Life Foodbarn provided an encouraging environment where participants could contribute and feel valued.
“The people at New Life Foodbarn are incredibly welcoming and supportive. They encourage participants to believe in themselves, build confidence and see the value they have to offer,” Aileen Wallace said.
“We regularly see people return to volunteer after completing their Work for the Dole activities, simply because they have enjoyed being part of the team. Participants often tell me how accepted, valued and encouraged they feel when they spend time here.”
The experience demonstrates how meaningful participation can help people strengthen their confidence and feel more connected to their community.
For New Life Foodbarn, volunteers and participants are also essential to receiving donations, preparing parcels, restocking shelves and keeping food moving to people who need it.
Strengthening food relief for the future
The improvements supported through ETC’s latest contribution are designed to make everyday food-handling tasks safer and more manageable.
Improved refrigeration supports safe food storage, while repaired vehicles and pallet-handling equipment help the team receive, move and distribute food more efficiently.
These practical improvements can help New Life Foodbarn continue providing affordable groceries, available rescued food and food parcels while reducing unnecessary food waste.
They also support the volunteers and participants whose contribution keeps the Foodbarn operating.
As household food costs place pressure on people across the community, reliable local services remain important.
Through affordable food and practical assistance, New Life Foodbarn is helping people meet immediate needs while remaining connected to their community.
Supporting stronger communities through the ETC Community Support Fund
ETC is a registered charity committed to giving back to the communities in which it operates.
Through the ETC Community Support Fund, ETC supports organisations responding to community needs relating to employment, skills development and major barriers to participation.
Since its inception in 2012, the ETC Community Support Fund has provided over $3.4 million to community organisations, including $2.4 million in the last five years alone.
ETC’s latest $26,500 contribution is helping New Life Foodbarn improve the equipment and working conditions behind its food-relief service.
By strengthening refrigeration, food handling and transport, the support will help New Life Foodbarn continue providing affordable food while creating opportunities for people to volunteer, participate and connect.
