Food insecurity is a huge problem in the Murraylands – what can we do about it?
A SACOSS “community conversation” has asked locals for solutions amid the current cost of living crisis. Here’s what they said.
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The manager of a Murray Bridge op shop is worried about the increasing demand for food support in the region.
In the last year, the number of customers seeking help at the St John’s Op Shop has doubled.
“It’s getting harder and harder to live, we see it all the time, we’re getting more and more clients that can’t afford stuff,” manager Deb Northcott said.
“I knew about (food insecurity), but not to this extent.”
The op shop is now able to give customers Foodbank vouchers, which has been helpful.
But Ms Northcott said many members of the public didn’t know what relief services were available in the community.
“The Hub is on Fridays, the Uniting Church has a meal once a month, but if you don’t know these things, people struggle to find local information,” she said.
She hoped the Murray Bridge council, Foodbank, churches and other op shops could come together and connect to broaden their reach and coordinate their services.
“There’s got to be something more that we can do,” she said.
“I’m just worried about people who slip through the cracks.”
She’s not alone.
Access to food is a problem across South Australia
The South Australian Council of Social Service has hosted nine “community conversations” across the state over the past few weeks, including one in Murray Bridge on Monday.
Facilitator Pas Forgione said people everywhere were finding it hard to get affordable, nutritious food.
“Very clear patterns are emerging,” he said.
“People tell us they struggle to access food because they struggle to afford it … you pay your rent or your mortgage first and everything else gets squeezed.
“There’s simply not enough money to buy the food they need: particularly food that’s healthy and nutritious, or food with protein in it.
“People can’t survive off bread.”
What can we do about food insecurity?
The SACOSS events, funded by the state Department of Human Services and Preventative Health SA, are part of a statewide effort to find solutions to the problem.
The organisation will present a comprehensive report to the government by the end of July, but Mr Forgione said four clear suggestions had come up so far:
- Increase people’s incomes, including benefits such as Jobseeker and Youth Allowance
- Make sure there’s a culture of non-judgment at all relief organisations
- Make food relief accessible – not everyone can afford the petrol to get across town, or into town, to visit Foodbank
- Strengthen the connections between food relief organisations, supermarkets and producers
Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers rejected the first suggestion on Tuesday night when the government declined to raise the rate of Jobseeker or other payments in its annual budget.
The age pension, Jobseeker and Youth Allowance are all below the Henderson poverty line, a standard measure of how much money an Australian adult needs to live without major discomfort: around $600 per week.
An increase would have made a huge difference, Mr Forgione said.
“This really goes to the heart of what it means to be able to live a healthy life,” he said.
“People tell us they want to eat healthily, they’re trying to do the right thing, but it’s really hard.
“This is a wealthy country, and everyone should be able to access fresh and nutritious food.”
Have your say
About 10 locals attended Monday’s session at AC Care, and each was given a $40 gift card for their trouble.
More conversations will be held across South Australia in the coming weeks, and the state government is also running an online survey which asks people what can be done to help those with food insecurity.
- More information, have your say: Fill in the survey at yoursay.sa.gov.au/food-security-for-all-south-australians before June 16.
- Get help: Foodbank vouchers are available from many local community organisations. You can also access food relief on weekdays from AC Care, Murray Bridge Community Centre or Tailem Bend Community Centre; every weekday except Wednesday at Teen Challenge on Marchand Street; on Tuesday to Thursday mornings at the Salvation Army on Fourth Street; on Wednesdays from 12.30-3pm at the ADRA community pantry on Myall Avenue; and on Friday mornings at the Hub at Darling Avenue. St John’s Op Shop will also host a garage sale at a home on the Old Princes Highway, Murray Bridge East this weekend.
- Read more: Hundreds need food relief in Murray Bridge, and more every month
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