Foodbank mobile supermarkets celebrate two years on the road

As Foodbank Victoria’s ‘mobile supermarkets’ initiative turns two, the program is continuing to play an important role in the community delivering fresh food and groceries to families hit hardest by ongoing cost of living pressures.

Since they first hit the road in late 2021, the two donated SkyBus vehicles converted into a supermarket on wheels – affectionately known as ‘Dave’ and ‘Dorothy’ – have regularly visited communities throughout Melbourne.

Across almost 100 visits, the mobile supermarkets have travelled more than 13,000 kilometres delivering an impressive 204,700 kilograms of food – equivalent to the weight of more than 11 standard passenger buses.

The buses are equipped with shelves and refrigerators and an army of volunteers who provide a warm and welcoming environment for communities to shop right where they live. So far, the program has provided over 368,000 meals to Victorians.

Michael Sewards, Kinetic co-CEO, congratulated Foodbank on reaching the two-year milestone, noting the initiative was making a real difference to people’s lives.

“This program has made an incredible impact since launching two years ago, allowing Foodbank to reach people who often don’t have the capacity to travel and receive food relief in the traditional ways,” Michael says.

“We’re proud to play a small role supporting the amazing work Foodbank does in the community through our long-running partnership together, and we’re delighted to see other corporates jumping on board to help the program’s impact grow even further.”

The mobile supermarket program offers a unique shopping experience by tailoring the selection of groceries to the cultural preferences of each community.

Kyle, Food Programs Manager at Foodbank, said the mobile supermarkets have helped the charity increase its impact helping vulnerable Victorians.

“This program has helped change the way we are able to distribute food to communities in metro Melbourne – the kind of food they would source for themselves. The mobile supermarkets allow us to provide a fresh food market to people where they live,” Kyle said.

“It gives our communities breathing space. They walk away knowing they don’t have to worry about how they’re going to get through the following day.”

Since the initiative began, Kinetic team members have embraced the chance to help Victorians with volunteers packing and distributing more than 7,800kg of fresh veggies, fruit and pantry staples – the equivalent of 14,110 meals.

To learn more about the Foodbank Mobile Supermarket program click here.