Foodbank Victoria expands reach as mobile supermarkets bring food relief to Melbourne communities

• Foodbank Victoria’s mobile supermarket program has served 60% more families facing cost of living pressures in Melbourne over the last twelve months
• With buses and drivers provided by Kinetic, the initiative distributed 135,960 kilograms of food to 8,706 families
• The program is now in its third year, helping to reach more and more communities facing food insecurity

After more than two years on the road, Foodbank’s ‘mobile supermarket’ program is delivering more market days and putting more meals on tables for Victorian communities experiencing food insecurity.

The food relief organisation’s latest Kinetic Impact Report 2023-24 reveals the initiative has reached 60% more families in metropolitan Melbourne over the last twelve months, helping to address ongoing cost of living pressures.

The program uses two 18-metre ex-SkyBus buses customised with purpose-built shelving and refrigeration, and stocked with a range of fresh produce, pantry and staple items to offer a miniature supermarket experience direct to families in need.

Designed to provide healthy, nutritious food that is culturally appropriate for the communities it serves, the mobile supermarkets provide a sense of community and a welcoming and dignified shopping experience for families in need.

Dave McNamara, the CEO at Foodbank Victoria, said that the organisation is supporting 65,000 people a day, and the mobile supermarkets have delivered significant kilometres over the last twelve months.

“Fortunately, we’ve been able to scale up so we can reach 60% more families, in more areas, more often with healthy, nutritious food that suits their needs in a space that makes them feel welcome,” he said.

“Keeping that momentum going is our focus, continuing to bring the coolest supermarkets on the planet stocked with beautiful food into communities where they need us most.”

Kinetic continues to support the program, through service and maintenance of the buses, and with drivers jumping at the chance to get behind the wheel to keep it on the road as part of dedicated volunteering efforts.

Kinetic’s Group CEO, Michael Sewards, said he is thrilled to see the program go from strength to strength.

“We’ve seen the impact this program has made since it launched in 2022, bringing food relief to people who otherwise may not be able to access it,” he said.

“Our teams always jump at the chance to offer their time out on the mobile supermarkets and in the community, and it’s encouraging to see other corporates jumping on board to broaden its impact.”

Over the last twelve months, Foodbank’s mobile supermarket program has distributed 135,960 kilograms of food to 8,706 families across Melbourne. The initiative celebrated its second year on the road earlier this year.

To learn more about the Foodbank Mobile Supermarket program click here.

Kinetic teams volunteering on the Foodbank mobile supermarkets

Further enquiries

Emmanuelle Brizuela
Specialist - Communications
0460 615 604
emmanuelle.brizuela@wearekinetic.com