February Update
Welcome to March, and a change of season with Autumn approaching fast.
My name is Angela Lockyer Murphy. I am the proud Chief Commercial Officer for Food for Change, and I have the pleasure of contributing to this month’s newsletter.
When our founder, Matthew, first pitched his idea to me back in 2016 to be a part of something greater than us both, to rescue and grow food which would feed hungry Australians, I didn’t hesitate to say yes. Philanthropy has always been near and dear to my heart as there is a profound sense of fulfillment to help those less fortunate than you. That is why we are so incredibly grateful for you… our donors, our readers, and most importantly our volunteers who we wouldn’t be able to operate without, THANK YOU!
We have a fierce goal of 1000+ subscribers across Australia this month for our new Fresh Food Boxes program. At only $70 for a monthly subscription service containing up to 9kg of fresh fruit, vegetables & herbs and 100% of the profits going back to the community, we would love your support more than ever. To celebrate the launch, we are running an amazing competition giving everyone who enters the draw/subscribes/shares a chance to win a food box delivered with a bottle of wine each month for an entire year! Another lucky 10 runners-up will receive a wine pack from our partners at Goodwill Wine.
It would be amazing if you could support us in our mission. All you need to do is enter the competition HERE, then share the competition with your network once you enter the draw!
Diana the Princess of Wales said it best “Nothing brings more happiness than trying to help the most vulnerable people in society. It is a goal and an essential part of my life – a kind of destiny. Whoever is in distress can call on me. I will come running wherever they are.”
With that said, if you have any questions or feedback on how we can help improve Food For Change, please don’t hesitate to contact me personally. I’d love to hear from you and thank you myself! My email is: angela@foodforchange.org.au
Angela Lockyer Murphy: Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer
WHAT IS FOOD FOR CHANGE’S MISSION?
As an Australian food charity, it is our mission to reduce food insecurity across the nation, ensuring that no individual or family goes hungry. This is accomplished by leading food rescue initiatives, supporting food relief agencies, reducing food waste across the country, and onboarding volunteers to grow their own produce. This is all done with one goal in mind: alleviating food inequality which devastates thousands of Australians each year.
Our organisation is here to support Australians no matter their background or circumstances in order that they receive the food relief that they deserve.
Founded in 2016, Food For Change has provided over 500,000 meals to those experiencing food insecurity! 500,000 meals!!! We are working towards a future where no person needs to go without food.
WHY WHY WHY?
Why is Food For Change on a mission to alleviate food insecurity in Australia? Matt Donovan and Angela Lockyer Murphy who created the nonprofit back in 2016, were shocked to learn that some people didn’t have simple access to nutritious food or food all together. This sparked the idea of growing organic produce and/or rescuing
healthier food options from local businesses, and then distributing via local food banks. By being the middle men, it began the process of providing food insecure individuals or families healthy food options. From research, simply nutritious food can affect one’s productivity, social life, mental health, physical health, and more. Our team knew this was a necessary mission!
This past month, Food For Change got the opportunity to provide food to individuals in the Highett Neighbourhood House and Hampton Community Centre. The smiles on their faces said it all of why we do what we do!
HOW IS FOOD FOR CHANGE ACCOMPLISHING ITS MISSION?
Food For Change is accomplishing this mission through many different avenues. The first is onboarding Australian volunteers to grow healthy produce on the Clayton Farm, and the soon-to-be Briars Farm. Typically food insecure people get unhealthy food options which doesn’t solve the foundational problem. By distributing nutritious food, this benefits people in more ways than one.
Recently Food For Change released the produce filled food boxes. These food boxes showcase to food secure people how simply healthy food can make such a difference. The money that is collected is recycled back within the company to ultimately run the nonprofit. Additionally, Food For Change is running a giveaway so that the food insecurity message can be passed to friends and family, and hopefully motivate people to donate their time or money. This drawing has been displayed on the newsletter, website, and social media posts (see the below).
These are just a few examples of how Food For Change is taking actionable steps to accomplish the mission of reducing food insecurity. Help us to do so!
FIELD STORIES
One of our key volunteers is Eliza Raeburn! As a Volunteer Coordinator since July 2020, she has taken on the responsibility of responding to queries, confirming visits, making sure volunteer positions are advertised on sites and filled, and specifically on Farm Days, making sure Food For Change has enough or alternatively not too many
volunteers for each Farm Day. Due to her attention to detail and schedule planning skills, volunteers are able to go on the farm and successfully grow/harvest organic produce throughout the year. When Eliza is not working at Food For Change, she is studying to be a Dietician and following footy matches at the MCG (when it opens again).
On behalf of the Food For Change community, thank you Eliza for all that have done and all that you will continue to do for our nonprofit! We couldn’t do it without you!
WHAT IS HAPPENING IN MARCH?
March is an exciting month for the Food For Change community. The new Briars Farm will be up and running, along with the Clayton Farm. More organic produce will be grown and distributed to local food banks. Also, the long awaited giveaway draw will take place at the end of the month. Get those entries in to possibly win one of the eleven prizes!