The last few years have seen significant turbulence and upheavals, from bushfires, floods and the global pandemic, with new research from Kellogg’s revealing half of Australians (50%) living in regional and rural areas are more concerned about food insecurity and hunger than they were before the beginning of the pandemic.
To mark World Food Day on 16th October 2021, Kellogg Australia has commissioned research to highlight the perceptions of hunger and food security within rural and regional communities across Australia. The research has revealed one-in-five Australians (20%) living in these areas have experienced food insecurity first-hand and one-in-six (16%) have skipped a meal in just the past 12 months because they couldn’t afford it.
With over half (58%) of Aussies living in these communities expressing desire for greater support to combat food insecurity, Kellogg Australia Charitable Foundation (KACF), is proud to partner with the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) to support grants for projects that help tackle hunger in more remote parts of Australia.
As part of the FRRR partnership, grants are awarded to not-for-profits and community organisations in those regions in need, and are used for projects such as community gardens, educational food programs, volunteer training and additional resources.
Sarah Matthee, General Manager Partnerships and Services at FRRR said that it’s wonderful to have partners like Kellogg who recognise the issues facing many communities in relation to food security, and more importantly, are willing to lend a hand.
“Our three-year partnership with Kellogg Australia Charitable Foundation allows us to work together to support locally-identified initiatives that will help to address food insecurity in remote, rural and regional communities. This support is more important than ever, given the cumulative impacts of droughts, natural disasters and the ongoing impacts of COVID-19.”
Morgan Volunteer Group, from Morgan South Australia (a town of 426 people), has utilised the Kellogg Australia Charitable Foundation FRRR grant to purchase a vehicle to deliver food to those in need.
Jakob Gamertsfelder, Founder of the Morgan Volunteer Group, said: “The vehicle is absolutely crucial to our work delivering up to 500 meals per week – as we can cover over 250 km on a weekly basis. We’re not only delivering vital meals to those who would otherwise go hungry, we’re providing companionship and a chat to locals who can go days without seeing anyone.”
Kellogg’s Australia believes that no one should wake up to an empty bowl and, since the start of 2021, has donated over two million serves of cereal. By 2026, Kellogg’s will donate another 15 million serves of cereal to those suffering from food insecurity across Australia.
Tamara Howe, Kellogg’s ANZ Corporate Affairs Director, said: “Following a turbulent 18 months, it has never been more important to support those living in rural and regional communities. Through the Kellogg Australia Charitable Foundation, together with the FRRR, we are committed to help build resilience and combat food insecurity in vulnerable communities to help create a more secure and healthy future for generations to come.”
Defined as the inadequate access to food, inadequate supply and the inappropriate use (i.e. preparation) of food,1the research has uncovered that more than half of all Australians (57%) are not fully aware of what the term ‘food insecurity’ means.
It has also been revealed that of those who have had to skip a meal in the last 12 months, breakfast was the most commonly skipped by the majority (49%, compared to lunch 36% and 15% dinner).
About Kellogg Australia Charitable Foundation
Kellogg Australia Charitable Foundation In 2007, Kellogg’s formed the Kellogg’s Australia Charitable Foundation to support charitable initiatives that promote a healthier world with long term commitments that make a meaningful difference.
