Prahran Market became the first donor to SecondBite over 16 years ago, significantly helping to get the cause up and running in the Stonnington area. Since then, the positive impact the initiative has had on the local community has been overwhelming, with weekly donations to those struggling with food insecurity now the equivalent of over 360,000 meals.
Prahran Market SecondBite Weekly Donations
With Traders selling the very best in fresh produce, Prahran Market recognised the need to ensure the surplus food was not going to waste. In Australia, around 7.6 million tonnes of food is wasted every year across the supply and consumption chain, equalling about 312kg per person¹.
Prahran Market Traders donate fruit, vegetables, bread, grains, meat, poultry and fish to SecondBite each week.
What is it Like Being a SecondBite Volunteer?
Rob Nethercote has been volunteering for SecondBite for around four years and currently collects food from Prahran Market as a member of the Rotary, on behalf of the charity.
“I enjoy the interaction with the generous Market stall holders and conveying to them the significant number of meals their overall contribution is making to benefit those less fortunate,” says Rob.
“The best thing of being a part of SecondBite is the same as the best thing about being a Rotarian. We are providing a FOC service which benefits a significant portion of our less fortunate community members. The Rotary motto ‘Service above Self’ applies well to the collectors and, having a healthy number of collectors means the load is shared, therefore is not too arduous in terms of collection dates worked.
“It is rewarding knowing that we help the stallholders donate food that cannot be kept but we also know that their generosity extends beyond that too. So, effectively, it is a brilliant partnership between SecondBite, participating stallholders and the Rotary Melbourne collectors.”
The Positive Impact of Food Donations
Donations to SecondBite make a real difference to Melburnians that need a helping hand.
The latest Foodbank Hunger Report (2021) reveals sobering statistics on food insecurity in Australia, showing that 1 in 6 adults have not had enough to eat in the last year, and 1.2 million children have gone hungry in the last year. Donations such as those from Prahran Market and charities such as SecondBite are vital in helping combat this crisis.
With over 360k meals now donated, Prahran Market and SecondBite are looking towards the next milestone and continuing to help those in need each week.
¹ Source: The National Food Waste Strategy Feasibility Study produced by Food Innovation Australia Limited, published January 2020
