Foodbank’s GROW Initiative and the Power of Capturing Farm‑Level Food Waste
Across Gippsland, our growers work hard to produce the fresh, high‑quality food our region is known for. Yet every year, tonnes of edible produce never make it to market—not because it isn’t nutritious or delicious, but due to size, shape, cosmetic imperfections, oversupply, or market pressures.
Food & Fibre Gippsland (F&FG) has a commitment to sustainability, reducing food waste and strengthening community resilience. For this reason, we are proud to support the important work of Foodbank Victoria and to help connect their team with growers across our region as they expand their innovative GROW program.
Recently, members of our team visited Foodbank’s impressive Morwell facility—home to a busy warehouse, a welcoming community café, a fully equipped training kitchen, and a versatile community meeting space. Alongside Sustainability Victoria’s Chris Francis, we heard first hand how GROW is transforming the way food surplus is captured and redirected to local communities in need.
Why GROW Matters for Gippsland
Foodbank’s GROW program is designed to capture food surplus at the farm gate, ensuring that edible produce doesn’t go to landfill or incur additional disposal costs. Instead, growers can redirect this food to help families, and community groups across Gippsland and the rest of the state. This keeps the benefits close to home and strengthens the resilience of our regional food system.
What’s in it for Growers?
Participating in the GROW program is not only socially impactful, it also provides tangible benefits for farmers and pack sheds:
Tax‑Deductible Donations: Growers receive a tax donation receipt for the value of the produce contributed.
Removing Barriers: Foodbank identifies barriers and provides incentives to support growers to divert their surplus.
Savings on Dumping Fees: By diverting excess or imperfect produce, growers can reduce or eliminate disposal costs.
Acknowledgement: Foodbank recognises supporters publicly, providing positive visibility for participating farms and businesses.
Strengthened Community Impact: Every donation directly supports households facing food insecurity—something many growers feel deeply connected to.
Corporate Social Responsibility Benefits: Participation contributes to sustainability targets and demonstrates leadership in responsible food production.
How can you help and benefit?
We encourage any growers, packers, or industry members interested in supporting this initiative to reach out to us by contacting Elena Nauta at elena.nauta@foodandfibregippsland.com.au or our CEO, Simon Johnson at simon.johnson@foodandfibregippsland.com.au . We are continuing to explore ways to connect our sector to the great work of Foodbank as part of our work in the circular economy, so please also stay informed via our social channels and regular newsletter.
The Foodbank team will also welcome your enquiry, and their details are provided below.
Together, we can help ensure that every piece of edible produce grown in Gippsland contributes to the wellbeing of our communities.
