As the cost-of-living crisis bites, Baptist Care SA’s Food Hub is experiencing unprecedented demand.  


In the past six months, we’ve seen a 50% increase in the number of young people shopping in our community Food Hub, with many telling us they simply don’t have the means to buy food from standard supermarkets.  

We’ve also seen more working families with children seeking support for food relief, often for the first time. Many of these food insecure households have at least one person in paid work, meaning employment is no longer an effective insulator against the cost-of-living crisis.   

The most common reason for food insecurity is high living expenses. Our clients tell us that it is the financial stress they are experiencing due to high living expenses that is pushing them into food insecurity. With record rental rates, soaring energy costs, increased petrol prices and the cost of medication not covered by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) all contributing to the cost-of-living crisis, people are frequently having to choose between paying for housing, utilities or medication or buying food. 

Amid these stressors, Baptist Care SA’s Food Hub, which offers free fruit, vegetables and bread, alongside other lower cost grocery items, offers vital support.   

Regular Food Hub customer, “Shelley” started shopping when medical bills pushed her budget past the breaking point. With income from her disability pension not enough to cover essentials, she has found the low cost and free items a reliable way to relieve financial pressure. As the cost-of-living crisis intensifies, Shelley says the buffer created by shopping at the Food Hub and living in social housing has helped her absorb other rising costs.   

While anyone with a student, pension or Immi card are all eligible to shop at the Food Hub, new customers are also offered connection with other services, such as Emergency Relief, which provides food parcels, and food and PBS medication vouchers.