WestSeed: No one should go hungry
Wondering what you’ll have for dinner or attempting the latest Tik Tok pasta trend? For some, choosing what they eat or when isn’t an option.
Although food security reports are not regularly measured in Australia, we do know there has been an increase in food insecurity since the COVID-19 pandemic. Some are experiencing food insecurity for the first time and there has been an increase in people needing access to food relief more regularly. According to Foodbank’s Hunger Report 2020, some people who are experiencing food insecurity also have not asked for help because they feel like there are others more in need, they are embarrassed or they feel shame.
Another statistic that may surprise you is GEN Z (18-25 year olds) are the hardest hit generation of food insecurity since the pandemic. Casual workers and international students are among the new groups that have emerged showing a need for food relief.
What causes food insecurity?
Material hardship and inadequate financial resources are the main reasons, but other reasons include financial or geographical barriers to accessing healthy food or limited knowledge about nutrition.
What does food insecurity look like?
One in five children have experienced hunger.
Women are more likely to suffer from hunger than men, due to lower incomes.
The Child and Family Community Australia have listed the groups who are more vulnerable to food insecurity include: low-income earners, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse groups, single-parent households, socially or geographically isolated people, older people, and people experiencing homelessness.
Some of the negative effects of living with food insecurity are anxiety, stress, depression and a decline in physical health.
What can we do?
Explore and consider supporting organisations helping individuals and families with food support, such as the Food Bank
Ask Izzy helps people to find organisations in your community that can help with food security
Follow the hashtag #zerohunger on social media
Check out the Westseed organisations below working to eradicate hunger in Melbourne’s West ↓
United Spanish Latin American Welfare Centre Inc
United, Spanish Latin American Welfare Centre is the go-to organisation for the Spanish speakers in Victoria.
UNITED provides a wide range of aged care services and support services, prioritising the Spanish speaking community. But our services are culturally and linguistically appropriate for all the different communities in Victoria.
Since 40 years ago, we work towards creating a healthy and resilient community in wide range of areas to help all round development.
Phone: 9318 2949
Email: info@united.org.au
Werribee Community Garden Project
Communal Gardens provide a great opportunity to grow fresh fruit and vegetables at a low cost, to provide a forum for discussions on good sustainability practices, and to meet and socialise with other members of our wonderful garden community. The WECP garden is located in the heart of Werribee adjacent to the Mambourin Sensory gardens in Walls Street, Werribee.
The garden is a place for individuals and groups to grow their own organic vegetables, herbs, fruits and flowers. Our VISION is that people in the West will live sustainably, be immersed in multicultural experiences and that the community will draw together and deliver related programs and services to the broader Wyndham community through participation in the environment park initiatives to create their own pathway to a positive future.
The committee meet once every two months and organise working bees and BBQs once a month.
Phone: 0409 252 872
Email: info@wecpark.com
West Welcome Wagon is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to providing material aid and support to asylum seekers and refugees in Melbourne's west. West Welcome Wagon currently supports over 800 households of asylum seekers and refugees from over 30 different countries, providing them with good quality donated items such as furniture, bedding, clothing, children’s toys, appliances and kitchenware as well as essential packs of food, toiletries and personal items.
West Welcome Wagon is driven by enthusiastic volunteers who have a commitment to provide material aid to those in desperate need of it and exists thanks to the support of the community. They recognise that even the smallest volunteer contribution can make the biggest difference. There are multiple volunteering opportunities with the benefit of time flexibility.
The organisations listed above are part of WestSeed 1.0.
See all the WestSeed blogs to get inspired by the wonderful organisations in Melbourne’s west.