UPDATE: The Griffith CWA is launching an urgent campaign to address food sustainability during this year’s Awareness Week, running from September 7 to 13. This initiative tackles the critical issues of food wastage and the rising number of families struggling to secure meals as the cost-of-living crisis escalates.
The CWA is collaborating with other chapters nationwide, emphasizing seasonal eating, supporting local producers, and offering strategies to help families stretch their grocery budgets. Griffith CWA branch president Cheryll Steele highlighted the need for a national food donation tax incentive, stating, “When you look at the waste figures for Australia, and the number of people who go hungry each night… it’s just not right.”
A staggering 7.5 million tonnes of food is wasted annually in Australia, with around 70 percent still edible. Meanwhile, over 640,000 households in NSW and the ACT faced severe food insecurity in the past year, many of which are in regional areas.
Steele expressed alarm at these figures, stating, “The amount of food waste is astonishing, particularly when so many households struggle to put food on the table. We need change, and this Awareness Week, we’re focusing on how communities can make a real difference.”
The campaign partners with the food relief organization Foodbank and food advocate Sophie Hansen to amplify their message. Their efforts aim to educate the public about the importance of reducing food waste while supporting those in need.
This effort comes at a pivotal time as families face mounting pressures from rising grocery costs. The CWA’s push for local, seasonal eating is designed to not only benefit household budgets but also improve health and reduce environmental impacts related to food waste.
As the campaign kicks off, Steele urges communities to engage actively: “Every small action can contribute to combating food waste and supporting vulnerable families. Together, we can create meaningful change.”
Stay tuned as the Griffith CWA continues to roll out its initiatives this week, focusing on practical solutions for individuals and communities alike. The time to act is now—join the movement and make a difference!
