One in Three Australian Households Facing Food Insecurity Amid Rising Costs

Foodbank’s upcoming report reveals that 3.6 million Australian households have lacked reliable access to sufficient nutrition in the last twelve months, marking a slight rise from the previous year. The survey of almost 6,000 people applied the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation’s definition of food insecurity. Groups hit hardest include renters, the disabled, young adults aged 18-34 and low-income earners, with Indigenous households reporting the highest rates.

Households are coping by shrinking meal sizes, forgoing shampoo, toothpaste and other personal-care items, and cutting back on driving or opting for cheaper transport. Prices for petrol, beef, lamb and milk have risen sharply, and upcoming inflation data may prompt another Reserve Bank rate hike. Foodbank’s chief executive Kylea Tink warned that hunger is becoming a widespread feature of Australian life.