We acknowledge the Wadawurrung people as the Traditional Custodians of this land and its waterways that continue to nourish us. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and we are guided by their enduring wisdom as we work for fair, dignified access to food for all.
This year marked a significant step forward for Geelong Foodshare, beginning with a refreshed name that truly reflects who we are and how we work. Geelong Foodshare acknowledges that our impact is collective — created in partnership with volunteers, frontline agencies, donors, government, suppliers, educators, and community partners. Together, we’re shaping a healthier, more resilient regional food system.
The Committee of Management focused on strengthening governance, sharpening strategic direction, and positioning the organisation for the scale and sophistication our community now expects. We streamlined meetings, refined committee size and roles, and established two key governance committees — Governance & Nominations and Finance — to ensure greater ownership of strategy, accountability, and impact.
Highlights included the sign-off of the 2025–2027 Strategic Plan, developed with Tanarra Social Purpose and governance advisor Jo Plummer FAICD, MBA. We were honoured by visits from Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Agriculture and Volunteers Ros Spence. A new marketing strategy strengthened our public presence, and our partnership within the Regional Food Security Alliance has matured from a start-up initiative to a consolidated state-wide voice, with our CEO contributing strongly as Deputy.
We also deepened our strategic alignment through targeted governance development and a more structured CEO review process. Committee visits to partner agencies provided valuable insights and will continue as an important learning opportunity.
The cost-of-living crisis continues to drive food insecurity across the region. Our response remains both practical and principled — ensuring consistent access to nutritious, culturally appropriate food today, while building the networks and infrastructure that reduce need tomorrow. This report reflects that approach: efficient operations, data-driven decisions, deeper partnerships, and a clear shift from food relief to food security.
Heartfelt thanks go to our staff, volunteers, partners, and supporters. Your commitment ensures Geelong Foodshare remains trusted, food-safe, and capable — meeting rising demand while driving long-term change.
Maxine Driscoll, Chair
Our new name marks a deliberate shift — from short-term food relief to long-term food security. Geelong Foodshare captures our broader purpose: creating equitable, dignified access to nutritious food through a connected regional system. We collect, share, and distribute food across 70+ community agencies and our social supermarkets, while investing in the partnerships and operational strength that make this work sustainable.
Over my three years as CEO, we have redefined who we are and how we create impact. Through our strategy and brand development, we’ve positioned Geelong Foodshare as an enabler — a one-to-many organisation that empowers others to deliver more effective, dignified food relief. Guided by our values of community, health, practical solutions, partnerships & collaboration, and professionalism, we have shifted from simply moving large volumes of food to understanding our impact — supporting agencies to do what they do best through stronger connections, shared data, and trust.
Geelong is Victoria’s fastest-growing region. With that growth comes pressure: rising housing costs, wages lagging behind, and more households struggling to put food on the table. This year, together with our partners, we delivered the equivalent of ~2.5 million meals — up from 2.2 million last year — while investing in the capability to do this work better: stronger logistics, tighter food safety, better data, and smarter collaborations.
Looking ahead, we are focused on building long-term food security for our community — moving beyond distribution to education, empowerment, and advocacy. This includes expanding growing and cooking programs, improving nutrition literacy, and engaging local schools and young people to strengthen lifelong food skills. Our strategy aligns with the principles and recommendations of the Victorian Food Security Inquiry, embedding the six pillars of food security — availability, access, utilisation, stability, agency, and sustainability — into everything we do. By investing in knowledge and participation, we’re helping communities take ownership of their food future.
Change isn’t easy, especially for a volunteer-powered organisation. But it is necessary — and exciting. We are building not only a stronger food system, but a stronger, fairer community.
Andrew Schauble, CEO
To nurture our community with healthy food, creating impactful social change.
Creating local food security through a strong network of partners.
Values
Community: Equity, dignity, inclusion. Health: Nutrition, wellbeing, nourishment.
Practical solutions: Progressive, problem-solving, tailored, nimble.
Partnerships & collaboration: Community-driven, network-building, long-term.
Professionalism: Trusted, food-safe, reliable, proactive.
We are the core of food security in Geelong, shifting from transactional “relief” to a coordinated food security system. Practically, that means rescuing, sourcing, and purchasing food to fill nutritional gaps; delivering bulk food to agencies; operating two social supermarkets for voucherholders; and building the networks (health, education, councils, farms, wholesalers) that make access reliable, healthy, and culturally appropriate.
Our model is efficient and scalable. Six refrigerated vehicles collect and deliver across the region. Our warehouse receives, sorts, chills/freezes, and dispatches to frontline agencies. The social supermarkets offer dignity and choice: clients redeem points to select what they need, like a normal shop, while being connected to wrap-around support.
We are an ACNC-registered DGR1 charity, governed by a volunteer Committee of Management and powered by a small, expert staff team and 228 volunteers. We measure success by the equivalent of meals delivered, nutrition uplift, agency satisfaction, and the strength of our supplier and partner networks.
Food insecurity is rising across Australia — and the G21 region is harder hit than most. Costof-living pressures, housing stress, and wages that don’t keep pace have pushed many households into difficult trade-offs. More than ever, people who never imagined needing help are walking through agency doors.
Food access is a health issue as much as a poverty issue. When budgets are tight, households trade fresh food for cheaper, processed options, worsening outcomes like obesity and chronic disease. Only a minority of Geelong residents meet recommended fruit and veg intake, and we see the compounding effects on mental health, learning, and community participation.
Our response is systemic: reliable access to nutritious, culturally appropriate food today, while building the networks, logistics, and education that reduce demand tomorrow. That’s why we invest in supplier relationships, regional distribution, and education and growing initiatives — because a healthier, more connected food system is the only sustainable answer.
We collect surplus food from supermarkets, producers, and manufacturers; accept food donations from suppliers across the region; and purchase staples where necessary to fill nutrition gaps (with a stated aim to minimise purchased food over time through stronger supplier relationships).
In our Morgan St warehouse, food is weighed, logged, packed, and stored under strict foodsafety standards. Coolrooms and freezers maintain the cold chain; pallet racking and safer manual handling reduce risk; and improved stock control allows more efficient allocation.
• Bulk distribution (free to agencies): Over 70 frontline agencies receive regular deliveries tailored to their capacity and client needs (e.g., breakfast programs, pantries, meals services).
• Social supermarkets (voucher-based): Voucher holders choose their own items — with points aligned to nutrition and value. In 2024, a 20-point voucher equated to $170–$230 worth of groceries (audited by Deakin), while costing the distributing agency $25 and invoiced only on redemption.
We partner with schools, libraries, agencies, and community groups to integrate food literacy and culturally appropriate cooking. With Geelong Botanic Gardens and other sites, students and volunteers grow produce that returns to the community — closing the loop.
As part of the Regional Food Security Alliance (RFSA), we coordinate across regional hubs, unlocking donations at scale, sharing logistics, and advocating for policy settings that drive better outcomes (tax reform for donations, health-aligned pricing, and a clearer statewide food security mandate).
In 2024/25, Geelong Foodshare grew its reach and impact significantly, ensuring more people across our region had access to healthy, dignified food. We delivered the equivalent of 2.5 million meals, up from 2.2 million the year before — a 44% increase over two years.
We received 1,464,584 kg of food and distributed 1,224,318 kg into the community — the equivalent of 102 tonnes every month, or about 16 fully loaded semi-trailers rolling out month after month.
The value of the food distributed was equivalent to approximately $9.18 million, and when measured by Foodbank’s social value framework, the broader community benefit equated to around $28 million — including improved health, wellbeing, and environmental outcomes.
This scale is only possible because of our volunteers. 228 volunteers contributed 32,683 hours — averaging 2,724 hours every month. Their contribution, valued at over $1.4 million, powers everything we do: food rescue, packing, logistics, social supermarkets, and community connection.
We also continued to strengthen our role as a circular economy leader. Food that cannot be distributed is shared with local farmers for animal feed, avoiding landfill and supporting agricultural resilience.
(FY24/25)
2.5M meals delivered (up 44% in two years)
1.22M kg of food distributed 1.46M kg of food sourced
The equivalent of 16 semi-trailers of food per month
$9.18M retail value of food distributed $28M community benefit (health, wellbeing, environmental savings)
6,391 food donations and collections from supermarkets, wholesalers, and growers
228 Regular volunteers contributed
32,683 volunteer hours
70 agency partners distributing food into local communities
2,485 tonnes CO2-e greenhouse gases saved, equal to taking 550 cars off the road for a year
$1.4M volunteer value
To meet rising demand safely and predictably, we are investing in the backbone:
• Fleet & logistics: Six refrigerated vehicles, professional drivers, better route planning, and regional coverage that reaches small towns where need is high.
• Warehouse & cold chain: Upgraded coolrooms/freezers, improved pallet racking, safer handling, and stronger stock control to minimise waste and maximise nutrition.
• Technology: Digitised logistics, volunteer and donor management — improving data, traceability, and service.
• Food supply: Diversifying suppliers, reducing reliance on any one source, and prioritising nutritious primary products (meat, eggs, dairy, fruit, veg). Our aim is to lift donated/rescued proportions and reduce purchased food over time.
• People & safety: Recruiting, training, and retaining volunteers; attracting skilled staff; embedding food-safety practices; and maintaining compliance and insurance in a higher-risk environment.
We’re candid about the cost of our existence: delivering well over a million kilograms of food, operating two supermarkets, and servicing 70+ agencies costs about $1 million a year — kept low only because of our volunteer engine and in-kind support. As standards and scale rise, we’ll keep tightening efficiency while building the multi-year partnerships that make the system resilient.
Our Strategic Plan focuses on three outcomes:
Reliable, healthy, culturally appropriate food access through bulk distribution, social supermarkets, and growing initiatives. We’ll expand supermarket access, increase voucher awareness (with agencies paying $25 for $170–$230 of value), and tailor supply to agency context. Education is central — building skills that outlast the crisis.
High-value networks with suppliers, agencies, health and education partners, and government. We will grow the nutritious share of supply, deepen RFSA collaboration, and co-design programs that connect food with culture, learning, and employment pathways. We’ll keep a clear public presence that elevates the food security conversation.
03.
Diversified income, low-rate/pro-bono overheads, strong brand and governance, and a capable workforce (staff + volunteers). We’ll improve processes, stock control, fleet management, data, and impact reporting. We’ll advocate transparently for policy settings (e.g., donation incentives) that make the whole system work better.
From our rebrand and special visitors to powerful volunteer moments, these stories show how Geelong Foodshare turned healthy food into dignity, connection and lasting social change across 2024/25.
AUG 2024 & MAY 2025
Across two unforgettable game days at GMHBA Stadium, Geelong Foodshare and the Geelong Cats came together to celebrate the people who keep our community nourished — our volunteers.
In August 2024, more than 180 volunteers and their families filled the Dulux Community Bay for the Geelong Cats vs Giants match, joined by Dulux as our generous game-day partner. It was a proud moment to see our own Julianne Morrison, one of our dedicated volunteers, feature alongside her daughter Nina Morrison — Geelong’s 2024 Best and Fairest winner — in the Community Bay video, a perfect symbol of how generosity and community spirit are passed from one generation to the next.
That same day, Pam represented Geelong Foodshare as a Dulux Community Hero, standing for the hundreds of volunteers whose care keeps food moving safely and efficiently through our network.
By May 2025, we were again honoured as the Dulux Community Bay Charity for the Cats’ Mother’s Day game. This time, Neil proudly carried the torch as Geelong Foodshare’s Dulux Community Hero, embodying the same quiet dedication and community pride that define our volunteer family.
Throughout the year, our volunteers gave more than 32,000 hours of service — driving refrigerated vans, sorting rescued food, stocking the Social Supermarket, and greeting every customer with respect and kindness. They are retirees, students, jobseekers, and new Australians — people who give their time to help others find stability and nourishment.
These celebrations were more than sporting highlights — they were reminders that the spirit of volunteering runs deep in Geelong. It connects neighbours, builds friendships, and sustains hope well beyond our warehouse walls.
“Before there’s food on the table, there’s a volunteer on the road.”
OCT 2024
G21 Regional Forum: food security and regional leadership
In October, more than 290 regional leaders gathered for the G21 Alliance Forum to explore health, wellbeing and the challenge of food insecurity. Geelong Foodshare’s CEO, Andrew Schauble, delivered a key presentation setting out a vision for how regional Victoria can move from food relief to genuine food security.
Andrew defined the six pillars of food security— agency, sustainability, availability, access, utilisation and stability—and spoke about how food insecurity is consistently higher in regional and rural Victoria than in metropolitan areas. While the cost of living crisis affects all Victorians, the impact is magnified in regional communities where food access, transport and supply chains are more fragile.
He highlighted how Social Supermarkets deliver on these pillars, giving families access to nutritious food with dignity and choice. He also reflected
on the transformation of Geelong Foodshare: from a local relief centre to a regional hub driving systemic change through partnership, logistics and innovation. Supported by 228 volunteers and 70 agency partners, the organisation now delivers the equivalent of 2.5 million meals a year, proving the power of collaboration in action.
Andrew closed with a challenge to policymakers and community leaders alike—to back regional food hubs with sustained investment, ensuring healthy food access becomes a right, not a privilege. His message was clear: food is the foundation on which wellbeing, education and opportunity are built.
“From one to many—regional hubs turn food into dignity, stability and hope.”
OCT 2024
Minister Ros Spence and local MPs visited North Geelong to mark a pivotal investment in the Barwon South-West. The Community Food Relief Coordination Grant funds dedicated roles to source, quality-control and distribute food safely across a connected regional network—linking hubs and partners so more healthy food reaches more people, more reliably.
With improved logistics and shared standards, coordination becomes the quiet backbone of community confidence. This partnership ensures that vulnerable communities—across Geelong, Golden Plains, Colac and Warrnambool —receive consistent access to nutritious food, while strengthening relationships between regional hubs for long-term sustainability.
“Effective coordination turns logistics into impact.”
More than 200 guests—donors, businesses, agencies and volunteers—filled our North Geelong warehouse and Social Supermarket for the Geelong Chamber of Commerce “After 5” event, where we proudly unveiled our new name and vision: Geelong Foodshare.
The evening marked a turning point—from food relief to food security—and celebrated the people and partners who made that transformation possible. Guests explored the Social Supermarket, witnessed our volunteer tribute videos, and heard stories of impact from across the network. Every part of the night reflected collaboration and inclusion: new Australians working alongside long-time volunteers in food service, community agencies curating music and hospitality, and local leaders connecting over shared purpose.
What filled the space wasn’t just food—it was energy, pride and partnership. Conversations ranged from funding to partnerships, from nutrition to volunteering. It was both a reflection on how far we’ve come and a launchpad for what’s next: a regional network united by the belief that food is the gateway to social change.
“Food is where we begin; community is what we build.”
Premier Jacinta Allan visited our Social Supermarkets twice this year to see first-hand how our points-based model transforms food relief into food security.
A Social Supermarket is transformational, not transactional—designed to empower choice, dignity and connection. Our points-based system delivers nearly ten times the value of a standard supermarket voucher, providing fresh, nutritious and culturally appropriate food in a welcoming, grocery-style setting.
By delivering on all six pillars of food security, our Social Supermarkets are helping families stabilise and rebuild confidence. The Premier’s visits recognised what our partners already know: that this model isn’t just innovative—it’s essential infrastructure for a fairer, more resilient Victoria.
“Dignity and choice aren’t extras—they’re essential.”
2024/25
This year marked a major leap forward in our logistics capacity, with the expansion of Geelong Foodshare’s refrigerated fleet — the backbone of our operations and regional reach.
Through multiple successful grants, we were able to purchase a 6-pallet truck, a 3-pallet Mercedes van, and a new electric vehicle (EV) truck. These additions complement our existing Renault vans and FUSO truck, giving us a diverse and capable fleet ready to meet the growing scale of food sourcing and distribution across the region.
Every vehicle in our fleet is refrigerated, with most offering full frozen capability, ensuring that we maintain strict cold chain logistics from collection to delivery. This reliability allows us to transport fresh, healthy food safely and efficiently — whether it’s a single pallet of produce for a local pantry or a full load bound for regional hubs.
The expanded fleet has significantly increased our reach, enabling us to deliver consistent, food-safe supply from Geelong through the Golden Plains Shire and right down to Warrnambool. With larger carrying capacity and improved efficiency, we’re moving more food, more often, to more people in need — strengthening the regional network that underpins food security in the Barwon South-West.
This achievement was made possible through the collaboration of many local agencies and funding partners who recognise that strong logistics mean stronger communities.
“Our refrigerated fleet keeps food moving safely — from Geelong to Warrnambool and every community in between.”
This year, Geelong Foodshare partnered with Toyota to apply the world-renowned Toyota Production System to our warehouse operations — bringing industry-leading efficiency and safety principles to the heart of our food movement.
Together with Toyota’s team, we undertook a comprehensive review of our logistics and warehouse flow, identifying ways to reduce waste, streamline operations, and improve volunteer safety. The results have been transformative.
Vehicles now unload and load at the front of the warehouse, rather than driving through it — a simple but powerful change that has significantly improved volunteer safety and traffic flow. A new sorting area reduces manual handling, with trolleys now carrying the bulk of the load to prevent strain and injury. We also introduced new machinery, including a spring pallet lifter and an expanding roller conveyor system, making the unloading of vehicles faster, safer, and far more efficient.
Space within the warehouse is now used more effectively, supporting smoother movement, clearer work zones, and greater capacity. Every improvement — large and small — reflects the shared Toyota and Geelong Foodshare philosophy that efficiency is not about doing more with less,
but about doing better for people and the community.
By embedding Toyota’s continuous improvement mindset, we’ve built a safer, smarter, and more sustainable operation — one that honours the dedication of our volunteers and strengthens our ability to deliver food where it’s needed most.
“Small changes add up to big impact — Toyota helped us make every movement safer, smarter, and stronger.” JAN 2025
In January 2025, Geelong Foodshare launched an innovative partnership with Barwon Health to rescue and redistribute nutritious excess hospital meals that would otherwise become waste.
Barwon Health, the region’s largest employer, produces over 2,500 meals each day. Due to advance production schedules, surplus is inevitable. Since January 17, Geelong Foodshare has collected these meals daily — safely transporting, labelling, and freezing them under strict food safety standards.
Between January 17 and June 30, 2025, over 8,400 ready-to-eat meals have been redistributed through our social supermarkets and agency partners, supporting individuals and families with dignity and choice.
Each meal is packaged in a custom sleeve with heating instructions and stories of community impact — thanks to Pressroom Philanthropy, who helped bring the program to life.
The initiative has drawn strong praise, including from Premier Jacinta Allan during her April 2025 visit, and is now being explored as a scalable model for Foodshares statewide to reduce waste and feed more Victorians.
“It’s a simple idea with extraordinary impact — turning hospital surplus into a model for smarter food systems.”
At Geelong Foodshare, volunteers are more than part of the team — they are the team. Every day, their care, time and teamwork keep our operation moving, our food safe, and our community nourished.
During National Volunteer Week in May, we celebrated the hundreds of people who give their time so generously — from warehouse sorters and drivers to cooks, supermarket assistants, and community connectors. It was a week filled with gratitude, laughter and connection.
To mark the week, we hosted a BBQ and Friday night drinks, bringing together long-time volunteers, staff, and new faces alike.
Every morning, the warehouse hums with conversation over shared morning teas, while our kitchen cooks daily meals for both volunteers and customers in the Social Supermarket. These daily rituals keep our community connected and ensure that everyone — from volunteers to clients — feels supported and included.
Some of our volunteers have been part of that story for decades. Marj and Sandy are two shining examples, giving over 25 years of service and friendship to the organisation. Their dedication reflects the values that underpin everything we do.
In August 2025, Geelong Foodshare CEO Andrew Schauble presented to the Victorian Government Inquiry into Food Security, representing both Geelong Foodshare and the Regional Food Security Alliance (RFSA).
The Inquiry, led by the Legal and Social Issues Committee, examined the causes and impacts of food insecurity across Victoria — from rising living costs and limited food access to the pressures of urban expansion on agricultural land.
The submissions emphasised the critical role of regional collaboration, local production, and education in building a resilient food system. They highlighted the six pillars of food security — availability, access, utilisation, stability, agency, and sustainability — as a framework for lasting change.
By contributing lived regional insights and practical solutions, Geelong Foodshare helped shape policy recommendations that move the state beyond emergency food relief towards long-term food security and community wellbeing.
Our CEO, Andrew Schauble, also contributed to the broader volunteer movement this year as a judge in the Victorian Volunteer Awards, celebrating the extraordinary individuals who give so much to communities across the state.
At Geelong Foodshare, we’re proud to say we are truly powered by volunteers. Their commitment turns compassion into action, ensuring food reaches every corner of our community.
“Everything we do starts with our volunteers.”
“Food security isn’t just about what’s on the table today — it’s about building the systems that ensure everyone eats well tomorrow.”
Our impact is only possible because of the partnerships that stand behind us. From local businesses to national suppliers, long-standing donors to new connections, each plays a role in building a food system that is reliable, nutritious, and dignified.
We are so fortunate to count Harvey’s Wholesale as both our landlord and our key supplier of fresh fruit and vegetables. Led by Glynn Harvey and his team, Harvey’s has been quietly feeding the Greater Geelong region for more than 50 years. With over 200 customers — from Little River to Lorne, and from prisons to pubs, IGAs, cafes, and even the Spirit of Tasmania — Harvey’s is a true Geelong institution.
Every night at 1am, Glynn and Kurt head to the Epping Market, returning with healthy produce that is sorted and delivered in their fleet of 16 vans the next day. His philosophy comes from his mother: “If you do well in life, think of those who have not.” That belief is lived out in his partnership with Geelong Foodshare, where Harvey’s generosity ensures thousands of households across the region access fresh, nutritious food every week.
We also pick up daily from La Madre Bakery and Routley’s. As Tez, from La Madre put it:
“We’re passionate about baking some of the region’s finest artisan sourdough, but sharing it with our community through Geelong Foodshare matters just as much. With daily collections, our excess bread goes to Foodshare, helping close the loop on food waste and turning one donation into support for many.”
At Cobram Estate, partnership means more than product. In the words of Claudia Guillaume, General Manager:
“Our olive oil supports Geelong Foodshare in-house cooking programs with partners like Rosewall Community Centre, is a valued ingredient in our Social Supermarkets, and reaches 70+ agencies across the region — from Lara to Warrnambool. By helping families cook with olive oil, we’re promoting healthier meals and lifelong habits.”
Some partnerships have endured for decades. Challenge Foods and Geelong Dairy continue to combine giving with strategic purchasing, ensuring we have staples that families rely on.
Our new Supplier Relations Manager has opened doors to growers and producers like Velisha Farms. These new connections significantly expand the volume of healthy food available to communities across Barwon South West Victoria and the Golden Plains.
Not every partnership is about food. The APCO Foundation now funds fuel for our six refrigerated vehicles — proof that when a partner is eager to help, we can tailor the relationship to match their priorities. Whether it’s transport, logistics, volunteering, or produce, there’s a place for every organisation to contribute to food security.
Regional reach. We extended regular deliveries into Colac and Golden Plains, where need is above state averages. Deliveries to Warrnambool and Colac increased dramatically, and monthly supplies now support multiple pantry sites across Golden Plains and South West Barwon.
Geelong Foodshare is proud to be part of the Regional Food Security Alliance (RFSA), a collective of six food hubs working side by side to feed communities right across regional Victoria. Alongside Geelong Foodshare — the largest of the hubs — the network includes Bendigo, Albury-Wodonga, Mildura, Shepparton, and Warrnambool.
Together, we coordinate donations, share logistics, and advocate for smarter, more efficient food security systems. The RFSA makes it possible for regional Victoria to benefit from big relationships with companies like SPC, Uncle Tobys, and Hazeldene Chicken, with food shared across the hubs to ensure reach and equity.
For Geelong, this collaboration means more reliable access to healthy food, stronger supplier connections, and the ability to respond quickly to need — not just in our region, but across the state. The RFSA is proof that when regional hubs work together, the whole system becomes stronger, more resilient, and better at feeding Victorians with dignity.
Why it lands. The combination of reliable logistics, food-safe handling, and agency-driven distribution means food arrives where it can do the most good — and where wrap-around services can multiply the impact.
At Geelong Foodshare, our Social Supermarkets are transforming how our community accesses food. Located at Morgan Street and Little Smythe Street, with a new site currently under construction at Mercer St, Geelong, these supermarkets are bright, welcoming spaces where people shop with dignity. They are designed to deliver on the six pillars of food security: availability, access, utilisation, stability, agency, and sustainability.
Clients use a points-based voucher system that empowers choice. A 20-point voucher provides up to $170–$230 worth of nutritious groceries — from fresh fruit and vegetables to pantry staples and chilled goods — while referring agency contribute just $25 to support purchasing and logistics. This represents about a tenfold return in value for the client and ensures agencies can stretch their budgets further.
Our supermarkets also encourage “green point shopping,” aligning with the Victorian Food Relief Guidelines and the traffic light food system. With a target of at least 70% green foods on offer, we’re supporting healthier choices and better nutrition outcomes for families.
Food, however, is more than nourishment — it is the gateway to conversation and support. People may first visit an agency or Social Supermarket because they need food, but what they often receive is
the connection to the broader services that truly change their lives. Housing, health care, financial counselling, or mental health support become accessible once immediate needs are met. As we know, until people have their basic needs — food and housing — secured, it is almost impossible to engage with longer-term services.
The new Mercer Street site will deepen this approach, with an education space where Geelong Foodshare together with partner agencies will deliver cooking, food literacy, and wellbeing programs. This makes the supermarket a true hub for learning, connection, and transformation.
The Social Supermarket program is also a cornerstone of Geelong Foodshare’s sustainability, representing around 30% of annual income and set to grow. In 2025, we launched a digital voucher system with QR codes, enabling agencies to email or text vouchers directly to clients. Combined with extended opening hours six days a week, this makes access easier, more flexible, and far more dignified than traditional models.
Social Supermarkets are transformational, not transactional. They are where food security meets dignity, choice, and connection — a model that empowers people today while shaping healthier communities for tomorrow.
Our one-to-many distribution model is what makes Geelong Foodshare unique. Collected food is sorted and then tailored to align to the programs of more than 70 agencies and food pantries, each serving their community in ways specific to local needs.
Geelong Foodshare’s deliveries now span eight local government areas, connecting communities across more than 300 kilometres — from Golden Plains and the Surf Coast to Colac, Warrnambool, and beyond.
In just the first six months of 2025, deliveries into Colac and Warrnambool increased dramatically — up 665% and 857% respectively — strengthening food security across the Barwon South-West. Monthly deliveries now reach community pantries throughout Golden Plains Shire, and extend deep into the South West Barwon corridor, including Deans Marsh, Forrest, and Apollo Bay.
This growing network of partners reflects how far we’ve come: from 55 agencies last financial year to more than 70 today.
“Geelong Foodshare launched regular deliveries to four new food pantries in the Golden Plains Shire— Linton, Cape Clear, Meredith, and Rokewood. These communities no longer need to send volunteers to Ballarat or Geelong to collect food, saving time, fuel, and volunteer resources while increasing access to fresh, healthy options close to home.”
Kaitlin Broadley, Senior Community Development Officer, Golden Plains Shire Council
“Geelong Foodshare’s support is invaluable to our international student programs, without which The Lounge could not operate. Their fresh vegetables help us host community dinners like Christmas in July, bringing students together to share culture and connection. Since the development of the program we have worked together and I look forward to a continued meaningful partnership. With weekly deliveries, we can focus on activities from cooking to swimming lessons that ease isolation and build belonging.”
Helen, Program Manager, The Lounge, Salvation Army Geelong
By supporting frontline agencies, we don’t just deliver food — we deliver capacity. Agencies can stretch their resources further, knowing that the backbone of supply is secure. The result is a stronger, more resilient regional food security system that reaches people wherever they are.
“Our Community Hub at Bell Park North Primary School has greatly benefited from our partnership with Geelong Foodshare, which has helped provide food literacy and engagement opportunities for our students and their families.”
Azadeh Doosti, Community Hub Coordinator, Bell Park North Primary School
“Our partnership with Geelong Foodshare means more than just food. With multiple weekly deliveries, they help us provide fresh produce for Elders and families, and even supply feed for our animals at Booln Booln. Together, we’re building culturally strong, community-led food security and connection for our mob.”
Rose de Jong, Deputy CEO, Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative
The principle is simple: change together. Strong networks create reliable access, reduce duplication, and build trust so the system performs better for the people who rely on it.
Everything we do is powered by volunteers.
Drivers who keep refrigerated vans moving. Warehouse teams who sort, weigh, and pack. Friendly faces in social supermarkets. Skilled helpers who lend professional expertise.
This year, more than 228 volunteers contributed thousands of hours. Their work keeps our costbase lean (so we can direct resources to food and logistics), and their care preserves the dignity that underpins our model. The goal is not just “more hands” — it’s a great experience that retains and upskills volunteers as operations become more sophisticated.
We’re investing in safer manual handling, better rostering, clear role design, and training pathways. We celebrate milestones and stories — from decade-long service to volunteers who started as clients and returned to give back. The message to our volunteers is clear: you are essential, and we’re building with you in mind.
If you’ve ever wondered whether your time can make a difference: this is it. A few hours a week helps put fresh meals on tables across the region — and strengthens the community you live in.
Farah has been a dedicated volunteer at Geelong Foodshare for the past three years. After moving from Iraq to Australia five years ago, she sought opportunities to improve her English and connect with her new community. At Geelong Foodshare, she discovered a warm, supportive environment where the kindness of others made her feel at home. Volunteering has strengthened her language skills and given her a true sense of belonging.
Marlene began volunteering at Geelong Foodshare in November 2023 after caring for her husband and wanting to reconnect with others. Volunteering has been transformative, giving her a renewed sense of purpose and fulfilment. She enjoys socialising while contributing to a meaningful cause and values the flexibility it provides. Marlene says she truly looks forward to her time at Geelong Foodshare.
finished work at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and wanted to give back to his community, so he began volunteering at Geelong Foodshare in 2019. Over the years, he has seen the organisation grow and evolve. Neil enjoys connecting with everyone, sharing stories, and having a laugh with his fellow volunteers. His time at Geelong Foodshare has allowed him to build friendships while making a meaningful difference.
Turkan, who recently moved to Geelong, has been working in the area for the past four years. After many years running her own florist and café, she decided to sell the business and pursue something more meaningful. With a passion for cooking and a strong desire to give back, she now volunteers at Geelong Foodshare, making meals for the Social Supermarkets.
You Thank
Our Supporters
Victorian State Government
City of Greater Geelong
Glynn Harvey Wholesale
ALDI
Anthony Costa Foundation
APCO Foundation
Barwon Foods
Barwon Health
Bidfood
Challenge Foods
Cobram Estate
Coles
Freshwater Foods
GB Foods
Geelong Community Foundation
Geelong Connected Communities
Give Where You Live Foundation
Green Eggs Free Range
Kyvalley Dairy Group
La Madre
3216 Connect
Adra Church
Baptcare
Barwon Health
Bayleaf Community Kitchen
Bell Park North Primary
Bellarine for Refugees
Birregura Community Pantry
Bluebird Foundation
Booln Booln Aboriginal Cultural Centre
Catholic Care
Christ Church
Cloverdale Community Centre
COGG - Family Services
Colac Kindness Network
Common Ground Project
Corio Lions Club
Cottage by the Sea
Cultura
Deakin University
Deans Marsh Cottage
Elia Wellness Geelong
Feed Me
Forrest Neighbourhood House
Foundation 61
Gateway Church
Gateway Stronger Communities
Gen U
Good Neighbourhood Project
Grovedale Neighbourhood House
Haven Home Safe
Hesse Rural Health
Kardinia Early Learning
Lara Food Relief
Lazarus Community Centre
Linton Food Pantry
Manifold Baptist Church
Marrar Woorn
Matchworks
MELI
Meredith Community Centre
Norlane Community Centre
Northern Bay College
Ocean Mind
One Hope Community Care
Orange Sky
Osborne Circuit Co-Op
Our Place
OzHarvest
Percy Baxter Charitable Trust
Regional Food Security Alliance
Routleys
SecondBite/FareShare
Shell Club
The Paddock Bakery
The Phil Taylor Foundation
Woolworths
Our Village
Pass the Snacks
Red Cross
Rosewall Community Centre
Rotary Geelong Central
Salvation Army
Samaritan House Geelong
St Bernards Church
St Mary’s of the Angels
St Vincent the Paul
The Gordon
The Lounge International
Student Centre
The Outpost
The Power in You Project
Torquay Food Aid
Uniting
Vacro
Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-Op
Wesley Welcome Place
Western District Foodshare
Whittington’s Bellarine
Living & Learning Centre
Windana
Wintringham
Chair — Maxine Driscoll (Founder, Think Strategic)
Vice Deputy- Gordon Gemmell (Director, Care Capital)
Treasurer- Michael McGough (Principal One CFO Services)
Secretary - Kiia Liind (EA, Hamilton Group)
Catherine Lockhart (Principal, Kardinia International College)
Alasdair Woodford (Principal, Harwood Andrews)
John O'Brien (MD, Henning Property)
Core Team
CEO — Andrew Schauble
Head of Impact — Felicia Bell
Operations Manager — Patrick Lanyon
Warehouse Manager — Alan Hurley
Administration & Accounts — Jackie Bull
Senior Programs Manager — Caro Felton
Supplier Relations Manager — Nick Harris
Lead Driver — Sarah Graham-Taylor
…and our 228 volunteers!
AUDITORS INDEPENDENCE DECLARATION
UNDER 60-40 OF THE AUSTRALIAN CHARITIES AND NOT-FOR-PROFITS COMMISSION ACT 2012 TO THE MEMBERS OF GEELONG FOODSHARE INCORPORATED
As auditor for Geelong Foodshare Inc for the year ended 30 June 2025, I declare that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, there have been:
a) No contraventions of the auditor independence requirements of the Australian Charities and Not-forprofits Commission Act 2012 in relation to the audit; and
b) No contraventions of any applicable code of professional conduct in relation to the audit.
This declaration is in respect of Geelong Foodshare Inc.
Lucy Partridge Director
Dated this 2nd day of October, 2025
Davidsons Assurance Services Pty Ltd 101 West Fyans Street Geelong, Victoria 3220
For the Year Ended 30 June 2025
The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.
As At 30 June 2025
The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.
As At 30 June 2025
the Year Ended 30 June 2025
Statement of Cash Flow s For the Year Ended 30 June
The financial report covers Geelong Foodshare Incorporated as an individual entity. Geelong Foodshare Incorporated is a not-for-profit Association, registered and domiciled in Australia.
The principal activities of the Association for the year ended 30 June 2025 were the provision of emergency food relief to individuals and families experiencing financial hardship in the Greater Geelong region.
The functional and presentation currency of Geelong Foodshare Incorporated is Australian dollars.
Comparatives are consistent with prior years, unless otherwise stated.
In the opinion of those charged with Governance the Association is not a reporting entity since there are unlikely to exist users of the financial statements who are not able to command the preparation of reports tailored so as to satisfy specifically all of their information needs. These special purpose financial statements have been prepared to meet the reporting requirements of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Act 2012.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the recognition and measurement requirements of the Australian Accounting Standards and Accounting Interpretations, and the disclosure requirements of AASB 101 Presentation of Financial Statements, AASB 107 Statement of Cash Flows, AASB 108 Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors and AASB 1054 Australian Additional Disclosures
The financial statements have been prepared on an accruals basis and are based on historical costs modified, where applicable, by the measurement at fair value of selected non-current assets, financial assets and financial liabilities.
Material accounting policy information relating to the preparation of these financial statements are presented below, and are consistent with prior reporting periods unless otherwise stated.
The financial statements and material accounting policies all comply with the recognition and measurement requirements in Australian Accounting Standards, with the exception of AASB16: Leases, AASB15: Revenue from Contracts and AASB119: Employee Benefites.
(a) Revenue and other income
The revenue recognition policies for the principal revenue streams of the Association are:
Government grants are recognised at fair value where there is reasonable assurance that the grant will be received, and all grant conditions will be met. Grants relating to expense items are recognised as income over the periods necessary to match the grant to the costs they are compensating. Grants relating to assets are credited to deferred income at fair value and are debited to income when expended as per the grant agreement.
Revenue from sales of goods is recognised upon delivery of services.
Donation income is recognised when received.
(b) Income tax
The Association is exempt from income tax under Division 50 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997
For the Year Ended 30 June 2025
2 Material Accounting Policy Information
(c) Property, plant and equipment
Each class of property, plant and equipment is carried at cost less, where applicable, any accumulated depreciation and impairment.
Plant and equipment, is depreciated on a reducing balance basis over the asset's useful life to the Association, commencing when the asset is ready for use.
The depreciation rates used for each class of depreciable asset are shown below:
(d) Employee benefits
Employee benefits are recognised for both annual leave and long service based on the accrued undiscounted amount as at the year end, ecluding on costs. Long Service leave is recognised for all employees, regardless of tenure.
(e) GFAN Auspiced Funds
Geelong Food Relief Centre Inc holds the GFAN Fund bank account. To reflect the fact that Geelong Foodshare Inc does not control this account, a liability account is used to represent the obligation that the entity has towards GFAN.
3
For the Year Ended 30 June 2025
4 Property, Plant and Equipment
(a) Movements in carrying amounts
in the carrying amounts for each class of property, plant and equipment between the beginning and the end of the current financial year:
the Year Ended 30 June 2025
6 Contingencies
In the opinion of those charged with governance, the Association did not have any contingencies at 30 June 2025 (30 June 2024:None).
7 Related Parties
There were no related party transactions during the year.
8 Statutory Information
The registered office and principal place of business of the association is: Geelong Foodshare Incorporated 37-41 Morgan Street NORTH GEELONG VIC 3215
9 Change of name
On the 18 October 2024, the Association changed its name from Geelong Food Relief Centre to Geelong Foodshare Incorporated.
The responsible persons declare that in the responsible persons' opinion:
there are reasonable grounds to believe that the registered entity is able to pay all of its debts, as and when they become due and payable; and
the financial statements and notes satisfy the requirements of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Act 2012
in accordance with subsection 60.15(2) of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profit Commission Regulation 2013
Opinion
TO THE MEMBERS OF GEELONG FOODSHARE INCORPORATED
We have audited the financial report of Geelong Foodshare Inc (the Association), which comprises the statement of financial position as at 30 June 2025, the statement of comprehensive income, statement of changes in equity and statement of cash flows for the year then ended, and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of material accounting policies, and the declaration by those charged with governance
In our opinion the financial report of Geelong Foodshare Inc has been prepared in accordance with Division 60 of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Act 2012 (ACNC Act), including:
(a) giving a true and fair view of the Association’s financial position as at 30 June 2025 and of its financial performance for the year then ended; and
(b) complying with Australian Accounting Standards to the extend described in Note 1 and Division 60 of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Regulation 2013.
We conducted our audit in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Report section of our report. We are independent of the Association in accordance with the ACNC Act, the ethical requirements of the Accounting Professional and Ethical Standards Board's APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (the Code) that are relevant to our audit of the financial report in Australia. We have also fulfilled our other responsibilities in accordance with the Code.
We confirm that the independence declaration required by the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Act 2012, which has been given to the directors of the Association, would be in the same terms if given to the directors as at the time of this auditor’s report.
We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
We draw attention to Note 1 to the financial report, which describes the basis of accounting. The financial report has been prepared for the purposes of fulfilling the Association’s financial reporting responsibilities under the ACNC Act. As a result, the financial report may not be suitable for another purpose. Our report is not modified in respect of this matter.
Responsibilities of Management and Those Charged with Governance for the Financial Report
Management is responsible for the preparation of the financial report in accordance with the ACNC Act, and for such internal control as management determines is necessary to enable the preparation of the financial report that is free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial report, management is responsible for assessing the Association’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless management either intends to liquidate the Association or to cease operations, or has no realistic alternative but to do so.
Those charged with governance are responsible for overseeing the Association’s financial reporting process.
Auditor's Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Report
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial report as a whole is free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of the financial report.
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial report is located at the Auditing and Assurance Standards Board website at: http://www.auasb.gov.au/Home.aspx. This description forms part of our auditor's report.
Lucy Partridge Director
Dated this 2nd day of October, 2025
Davidsons Assurance Services Pty Ltd 101 West Fyans Street Geelong, Victoria 3220
