The Salvation Army speaks into Victorian food security inquiry

Josh Gani, Senior Policy and Advocacy Advisor for The Salvation Army, and the submission.

BY ANTHONY CASTLE

The Salvation Army has provided a submission to an inquiry into food security in Victoria held by the Legislative Council Legal and Social Issues Committee.

The cost-of-living crisis means that many on low incomes can no longer afford essential items, with food often being a necessity foregone. The Salvation Army is a national provider of emergency relief and support for those in need and highlighted the drivers, impacts, and responses regarding food security.

“We put in a submission based on our exposure to the situation on the ground and the services The Salvation Army provides,” explains Josh Gani, Senior Policy and Advocacy Advisor. “We’re able to talk about the issue because the data from Doorways and Moneycare, and the majority of our food relief that is coordinated through corps.”

The Salvation Army’s Doorways program provides case management, emergency relief and immediate support for 128,000 Australians annually. The Salvos provide food relief through pantries, hampers, vouchers, and community meals. The submission focused on those things foregone by those in need, including the physical and mental health implications of food insecurity.

“There are health implications and social implications of food insecurity,” says Josh. “The fact is that if you can’t afford enough food, you will cut down on other necessities. There are negative health outcomes if you don’t get enough nutrients or have to make choices about heating or accommodation. The mental health implications were something we really wanted to highlight too; the emotional burden that goes into these budgeting decisions can be associated with personal failure.”

Food insecurity affects more than one million Australians every month. Last year, more than 3.7 million households ran out of food. Many households are resorting to skipping meals, eating expired or spoiled food, or sleeping through mealtimes. This crisis affects those in need the most.

“The current rate of Jobseeker is insufficient to allow people to live with dignity,” Josh says. “We must continue to advocate for increases to Jobseeker and Youth Allowance. People have different opinions about social security and support payments, but the fundamental role of those is that people are able to live with dignity. The current system does not afford that. If people can’t eat, it shows the whole system isn’t working.”

“People often skip paying bills to have enough to feed their kids that week.” – A Salvos Doorways caseworker

The Salvation Army’s 2024 Red Shield Report found that in the past 12 months, 91 per cent of respondents experienced a level of food insecurity. Forty-five per cent reported having to choose between paying the rent or mortgage or buying the food they need.

“The largest piece of the mosaic is housing affordability,” says Josh. “People find themselves having to prioritise their housing situation before all other expenses. Housing affordability is such a pressure on people’s budgets that they make those hard decisions about what they forego.”

The Red Shield research report also illustrated that many accessing The Salvation Army’s emergency relief services are struggling to afford utility bills, groceries and their rent. As many skip meals because they can’t afford enough food to eat, the impact extends to families and children.

“We touched on the notion that the long-term social implications can be significant for children,” Josh says. “Children who go to school hungry will struggle at school and find themselves being titled as disruptive. They can’t learn in the same way as other kids.”

“Kids who go to school without breakfast don’t want to be there. They struggle to pay attention and get labelled as ‘disruptive kids’.” – A Salvos Doorways caseworker

The complex factors that leave families, children and young people hungry require responses from all governments. While there may be no single solution that the Victorian Government can implement to address food insecurity, The Salvation Army's submission includes a number of responses and recommendations.

“There are limited fresh food retailers in the outer, developing suburbs and more fast food restaurants,” says Josh. “We also pushed for investment in social and affordable housing, some discussions of price competition and affordable food courses. There are also many people using debt instruments to buy groceries, taking out Buy Now Pay Later loans to cover food when the late repayment fees can be hard.”

Food insecurity affects more than one million Australians every month. With the pressure on the cost of living showing little sign of letting up, many more may go hungry for the foreseeable future.

“The worst-case scenario is people starving,” Josh says. “There are obvious health implications, but the social implications are a concerning development. We have found ourselves a wealthy society where people can’t afford food. How wealthy are we if everyone can’t eat?”