Foodbank, the major charity supplying food and groceries to Australians in need, has released a report that found demand for food relief is up and it believes it has not yet seen 'peak hunger' in the COVID-19 crisis.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
KEY STATISTICS
* Charities have seen overall demand up by an average of 47 per cent.
* The proportion of food-insecure Australians seeking food relief at least once a week has more than doubled since last year, from 15 per cent to 31 per cent.
* Young Australians are being hardest hit by the COVID-19 crisis with 65 per cent of food-insecure 18 to 25-year-olds going without food at least once a week.
* More than a quarter (28 per cent) of those experiencing food insecurity had never faced it before the pandemic.
* Two new groups in particular: casual employees and international students are needing help.
* 43 per cent of food-insecure Australians are going a day a week without eating compared to 30 per cent in 2019.
* 61 per cent of food-insecure Australians have accessed food relief since COVID-19 hit but the other 40 per cent have not reached out for the help they need.
* JobKeeper and JobSeeker, have provided vital temporary relief for many but 62 per cent say they are not receiving the assistance they need.
* Almost 35 per cent don't know how they will cope when the additional government support is withdrawn
* 37 per cent say they need more than they're getting,
* 21 per cent are ineligible for any additional support
Australian Associated Press
