Thousands of kilos of fresh produce saved weekly to tackle rising food insecurity and slash waste in the city’s beating heart.
A powerful new initiative has launched at the Queen Victoria Market to rescue thousands of kilos of fresh, quality produce each week and redirect it to Melburnians doing it tough. The program, run by the Melbourne Food Rescue Network, marks a significant collaboration between the City of Melbourne, Queen Victoria Market, STREAT, SecondBite and the Victorian Government.
Every week, surplus fruit and vegetables from the market’s biggest traders will be collected and distributed to community food relief organisations across Melbourne.
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The Queen Victoria Market, the largest open-air market in the southern hemisphere, currently generates up to 800 tonnes of surplus food and organic waste annually — the weight of nearly 30 Melbourne trams. This new effort aims to turn that waste into nourishment while strengthening the city’s food relief network.
The partnership comes at a critical time, with recent data highlighting growing food insecurity across the municipality. By rescuing high-quality fresh produce that would otherwise go to waste, the program delivers immediate relief while promoting long-term sustainability, community connection and reduced landfill impact.
Lord Mayor Nick Reece said, “No one in Melbourne should have to choose between paying a bill and feeding their family. This food rescue program is about getting good food onto the plates of people who need it most.”
Community and City Services portfolio head Gladys Liu added that the initiative demonstrates the power of collaboration: “This partnership shows what can happen when government, community organisations and local businesses work together to support people doing it tough.”
Minister for Carers and Volunteers Luba Grigorovich praised the Victorian Government’s support, noting it will help reduce waste and strengthen food relief efforts statewide.
For a city that prides itself on its world-class food culture, this program reinforces Melbourne’s values of care, creativity and community. It’s a practical, hopeful step toward a more equitable and sustainable future — one rescued tomato at a time
For more information on the initiative, head here.
