Coles has launched its first Community Food Relief Appeal with SecondBite and Foodbank, giving customers a new way to help provide more meals to Australians facing food hardship.

From tomorrow (5 August) until 1 September, customers can donate at any Coles checkout nationally, with funds raised to be distributed to SecondBite and Foodbank.

The Appeal comes as new national research commissioned by Coles, SecondBite and Foodbank estimates 3.6 million Australians experienced food hardship for the first time in the last six months.

Many Australians are also reluctant to seek support from food relief charities. Nearly half (48%) say they wouldn’t access food relief if they needed to because they believe someone else needs it more, while one in three (32%) say they would be too embarrassed to ask.

The research shows the cost of electricity and gas bills (40%), rising fuel and transport costs (37%), and rent or mortgage increases (24%) are among the biggest pressures in the past six months affecting how much households can spend on food.

Helping frontline charities respond

SecondBite CEO Daniel Moorfield says funds raised will help frontline charities respond as more vulnerable households seek support.

“Local charities are seeing demand reach working families, double-income households and people who may never have needed support before. With three in 10 [surveyed] Australians saying they would consider accessing food relief in the next six months, that demand is expected to grow,” he says.

“Every donation will help get more food to community organisations supporting people locally, so fewer dinner tables are left without a meal.”

Removing the barriers

Foodbank Australia CEO Kylea Tink says the new findings show why it’s important to remove the barriers that stop Australians from seeking food relief.

“A big part of this Appeal is opening up the conversation around food relief, making it more visible and helping people understand that support is there for everyone who needs it,” she says.

“What’s most concerning isn’t only the scale of need, but how many Australians are trying to manage food hardship quietly and alone. It shows how quickly cost-of-living pressures can affect a person’s ability to feed their family.

“No Australian should feel they have to wait until they’re in crisis before asking for support and this Appeal will help strengthen the ability of charities to provide immediate relief.”

Supporting food relief efforts

Coles CEO Leah Weckert says the Appeal gives customers and suppliers a way to support the work food relief partners do every day.

“We know many Australians are doing it tough. While food relief alone cannot address the broader cost-of-living pressures facing households, it can provide vital and immediate support for people who are going without,” she says.

“Every day, our team members set aside unsold, edible food for SecondBite and Foodbank so it can reach local charities and communities where it’s needed most.

“Through these longstanding partnerships, Coles has helped provide the equivalent of 377 million meals. This Appeal builds on that contribution and gives customers and suppliers another way to help put more meals on Australian tables.”

Between 5 August and 1 September, 11 participating suppliers will donate 20¢ for each eligible product sold at participating Coles stores and online, subject to any applicable donation caps. Eligible products and full details are available at coles.com.au/foodreliefappeal.