Feeding Queensland Kids: Reconnecting Bundaberg Families with Food
In this Partner Up podcast episode, we talk to Christine from the Feeding Queensland Kids initiative a collaborative, community-led approach to tackling food insecurity across Bundaberg, Ipswich, and Mornington Island. Christine walks us through how this statewide partnership is being delivered locally, and what makes Bundaberg’s response both innovative and practical.
Feeding Queensland Kids is a partnership between Foodbank Queensland, FareShare, Bite, and OzHarvest, supported by the Queensland Government. Instead of bringing in pre-designed solutions, the program empowers local communities to design their own food equity projects. In Bundaberg, this includes community grants for small initiatives and larger funding for collaborative, systems-level solutions.
One of these community-led projects is What’s for Dinner, Noah?, an initiative by Wide Bay Kids that focuses on helping families feel confident about food choices. From recipe cards and videos to food packs filled with local produce, the program is designed to be flexible and affordable. It promotes home cooking using seasonal ingredients grown right here in Bundaberg’s thriving food bowl.
Christine explains that food insecurity is rising not just due to low income, but due to broader issues such as the cost of living, time constraints, and lost food skills. This initiative aims to reduce stigma and rebuild confidence in basic food preparation, while strengthening community connection.
She also touches on the shift in mindset around food as a human right and community responsibility. Whether it's sharing garden produce with neighbours or attending food workshops, every small action helps improve local food equity.
With funding still available through rolling grants, Christine encourages anyone with an idea to get involved. She emphasises the importance of valuing food, working together, and celebrating the power of local solutions.
This episode is more than a discussion about food; it’s a reminder of how community collaboration can lead to lasting change one meal, one idea, one story at a time.
Learn more about What’s for dinner Noah here - https://widebaykids.com.au/whats-for-dinner-noah/
Contact Christine to learn more about Feeding Queensland Kids here: Christine.S@foodbankqld.org.au
