Food insecurity and hunger on the rise in rural and regional communities

Half of Australians (50%) living in regional and rural areas are more concerned about food insecurity and hunger than they were pre-pandemic, according to new Kellogg’s research.

To coincide with World Food Day last month, Kellogg Australia commissioned research to highlight the perceptions of hunger and food security within rural and regional communities across Australia.

The research revealed one-in-five Australians (20%) living in these areas have experienced food insecurity first-hand and one-in-six (16%) have skipped a meal in just the past 12 months because they couldn’t afford it.

With over half (58%) of Australians living in these communities expressing desire for greater support to combat food insecurity, Kellogg Australia Charitable Foundation (KACF) has partnered with the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) to support grants for projects that help tackle hunger in more remote parts of Australia.

As part of the FRRR partnership, grants are awarded to not-for-profits and community organisations in those regions in need, and are used for projects such as community gardens, educational food programs, volunteer training and additional resources.

FRRR general manager for partnerships and services, Sarah Matthee said partners like Kellogg recognise the issues facing many communities in relation to food security, and more importantly, are willing to lend a hand.

“Our three-year partnership with Kellogg Australia Charitable Foundation allows us to work together to support locally-identified initiatives that will help to address food insecurity in remote, rural and regional communities. This support is more important than ever, given the cumulative impacts of droughts, natural disasters and the ongoing impacts of COVID-19,” she said.

Kellogg’s Australia and New Zealand corporate affairs director, Tamara Howe said, “Following a turbulent 18 months, it has never been more important to support those living in rural and regional communities. Through the Kellogg Australia Charitable Foundation, together with the FRRR, we are committed to help build resilience and combat food insecurity in vulnerable communities to help create a more secure and healthy future for generations to come.”

Since the start of 2021, Kellogg’s Australia has donated over two million serves of cereal. By 2026, Kellogg’s will donate another 15 million serves of cereal.