The simple idea that inspired a community

Back in 2018, Belle and Benj were university students who spent most of their time either studying or in their community. So it’s no surprise that one day, they had an idea to give back.

‘We had ample free time between classes, so we decided to visit a local bakery at closing time,’ Belle recalls. ‘We asked if they had any food that wasn’t sellable – but still edible – to hand out to people in need.’

The response from the bakery was overwhelming.

‘They were so excited about the idea and handed us bags and bags of perfectly good bread and baked goods,’ Belle says. The pair then loaded their car and drove to local soup kitchens and shelters, knocking on doors and offering donations. ‘We didn’t know what to expect, but the charities were incredibly grateful, and they desperately needed the food,’ she explains.

Word quickly spread, and soon Belle and Benj’s friends, family and university peers began joining in. ‘It just grew naturally,’ Belle notes. ‘People heard what we were doing and wanted to help. Before we knew it, we were building a network of volunteers, food donors and charities.’

Their small effort revealed a glaring gap: no other organisation was rescuing food at the community level.

 

 

From one suburb to one hundred

In just 5 years, FoodFilled has expanded from a single-suburb operation to serving over 100 suburbs across Greater Melbourne.

But the journey hasn’t been without challenges.

‘COVID was a massive test for us,’ Belle admits. ‘We were still a baby charity, just a year or so into our existence, and suddenly we were faced with unprecedented demand.’

But instead of backing down, the team doubled down. ‘We knew we couldn’t turn away when people needed us most,’ Belle says. ‘So we reached out to experts in our network for advice and support, and this led to us becoming a real organisation.’

Today, FoodFilled provides the equivalent of 22,000 meals per month and has engaged over 1,000 volunteers. ‘It’s incredible to see how far we’ve come,’ Belle reflects. ‘We started with one bakery in one suburb, and we’re now a professional charity driving huge impact.’

And that impact is only growing as time goes on. In fact, in Belle’s words: ‘We’re on track to becoming one of the biggest food recovery services in Australia.’

 

 

Becoming food recovery’s ultimate disrupter

FoodFilled’s success lies in its innovative, decentralised model. ‘We realised early on that traditional food rescue methods weren’t always sustainable,’ Belle explains. ‘Warehouses, trucks and drivers are costly and have a significant environmental impact.’

Instead, FoodFilled leverages technology to streamline its operations.

‘We use tech to match food businesses directly with local charities,’ Belle says. ‘This eliminates unnecessary steps and ensures the right food gets to the right place at the right time.’

And the environmental benefits are substantial. ‘By avoiding warehousing and extensive transportation, we reduce carbon emissions,’ Belle notes. ‘It’s the most sustainable way to recover food at this scale.’

This means FoodFilled is offering businesses an opportunity to alleviate carbon emissions while saving money on disposable costs – and helping people in need while they’re at it.

‘Yeah, it’s literally a win, win, win,’ Belle smiles.

 

 

Empowering the next generation of changemakers

One of FoodFilled’s most distinguishing features? Its reliance on young volunteers.

‘Volunteers for charities and organisations traditionally fall in the 60 to 75 age group – which, of course, is amazing. But it means young people aren’t typically as involved in the community,’ Belle explains. ‘It’s when they get older, with less work commitments, that they get involved.

‘But we need them now.’

That’s why FoodFilled’s volunteer opportunities are designed to be flexible and accessible. ‘It’s super easy to get involved,’ Belle says. ‘Volunteers can sign up for shifts that fit their schedules, and they often bring friends along, making it a fun and social experience.’

What’s more, they also make friends on the job! Because, thanks to FoodFilled’s considered system, volunteers are paired with the same businesses and charities every shift.

‘The connections forged through FoodFilled extend beyond the immediate impact of delivering food. Our volunteers build relationships with the food businesses and charities they work with,’ Belle explains. ‘This strengthens the community ties and creates a personal sense of purpose.’

 

 

Inspiring change, one group at a time

Beyond its core mission of food recovery, FoodFilled is also passionate about education.

‘We run workshops in schools, universities and community organisations to teach people about food insecurity and sustainability,’ Belle shares.

And these sessions often have a profound impact on participants.

‘It’s amazing to see their eyes light up when they realise the significance of these issues,’ Belle says. ‘Because people don’t always realise the harm that food wastage has on the environment – the methane gas it releases, how harmful that gas is, how we’re all just ingesting it. It’s pretty alarming.

‘But it’s those startling facts that make people want to do better,’ she continues. ‘In fact, many people who attend our workshops volunteer with us afterwards.’

Whether attendees become FoodFilled volunteers or not, these workshops inspire long-term change.

‘We equip people with small, actionable steps they can take in their own lives,’ Belle explains. ‘It’s all about creating a ripple effect that extends far beyond FoodFilled.’

 

 

Helping FoodFilled make a difference

FoodFilled is, indeed, still a charity that relies on support from the community. Shocker, we know.

That’s why partnerships with local businesses like Gary Peer have been instrumental in supporting FoodFilled’s mission.

‘Gary Peer provided invaluable practical support,’ Belle notes. ‘Their coffee van was a huge hit with our volunteers during a recent event.’

This is exactly the type of collaboration that we at Gary Peer love to be a part of. The type that highlights the power of community involvement.

And Belle agrees. ‘We’re incredibly grateful for partners who believe in what we’re doing,’ she says. ‘It allows us to keep growing and reach even more people in need.’

 

 

Mapping out a nationwide impact

Looking to the future, FoodFilled aims to expand across the state – and eventually, the nation.

‘Our goal is to serve every community in Victoria, especially underserved regional areas,’ Belle shares. ‘From there, we hope to replicate our model across Australia.’

How do they plan to do that? By establishing relationships with businesses, charities and volunteers in as many suburbs as possible.

‘We want to get to a place where no community is left without FoodFilled support,’ Belle shares. ‘But we can’t do that without our incredible volunteers, donors and partners.’

It’s a reminder that getting involved in your community, even in small ways, can create a ripple effect – and a real difference.

‘If anything, we’re proof that small actions can lead to big change.’

 

 

Curious about FoodFilled’s mission – or how you can get involved yourself? Visit the FoodFilled website to learn more.

And if you want to discover some other inspiring local groups making a difference? Visit The Peer Blog to explore their stories!