Recent data reveals that over one-third of Australian households experienced moderate to severe food insecurity in 2023 (360info.org). This alarming statistic underscores the critical role of local food support initiatives in urban communities.
In response to this growing need, the City of Sydney has established a comprehensive food support directory, connecting residents with services across various suburbs. This resource ensures that individuals and families can access nutritious food and essential items, mitigating the impact of financial hardships.
Community organisations and volunteers are the backbone of support systems. For instance, the Newtown Neighbourhood Centre offers meals and food services, providing fresh produce and pantry staples to those in need. Similarly, the Glebe Assistance Partnership Program extends aid with food, utility bills and advocacy, fostering a supportive network for vulnerable people and families (see list of services below).
The significance of these services has intensified as food banks report unprecedented demand. Factors such as falling donations and rising operational costs have strained resources, making community support and awareness more crucial than ever.
To bolster these efforts, the City of Sydney has allocated grants to organisations dedicated to improving access to affordable and healthy food. Grants empower local groups to expand their reach and enhance service delivery.
SYDNEY CBD
Salvation Army
140 Elizabeth St, Sydney
Mon-Fri 9am-5pm
Wed chapel and dinner from 4pm, Sun service 10am.
For emergency vouchers and financial assistance: 02 8775 7988
Early Bird Cafe
St Stephen’s Uniting Church
197 Macquarie St, Sydney
Mon-Fri 6.30-8.30am, Sat 7.30-8.30am
Breakfast.
Ph: 02 9221 1688
REDFERN & WATERLOO
Oz Harvest Waterloo Supermarket
95 Wellington St, Waterloo
Tue-Sat 10am-2pm
Pantry staples and fresh produce items.
Ph: 1800 108 006
Aboriginal Medical Service Redfern
36 Turner St, Redfern
Mon-Thu 8am-6pm, Fri 9am-4pm
Culturally appropriate health care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Ph: 02 9319 5823
Salvation Army Street Level Cafe
Cnr Phillip & Cope sts, Waterloo
Mon-Wed 9.30am-2pm
Low-cost cafe, OrangeSky Laundry Mon, free lunch Tue 12.30pm, free community BBQ Wed 12pm.
Ph: 02 9698 3586
First Nations Response
Redfern Community Centre
29-53 Hugo St
Tue 10am – until sold out
Culturally appropriate drop-in food relief and deliveries to Aboriginal and Torres St Islander people.
Ph: 0459 486 555
Lou’s Place
67 Renwick St, Redfern
Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri 8.30am-3.30pm; Tue 8.30-2.30pm
Female identifying only
Breakfast, lunch, showers, laundry, drop-in, legal clinic, access to phones, computers and internet; daily activities (writing, art, jewellery making).
Ph: 02 9358 4553
St Vincent de Paul
317 Cleveland St, Redfern
Mon-Fri 9.30am-4pm
Emergency material aid.
Ph: 02 9690 5600
WAGEC – Women & Girls Emergency Centre
36-38 George St, Redfern
Mon-Fri 9am-4pm
Crisis and intervention support services for women, children and young people, and families experiencing/at risk of homelessness and/or domestic and family violence.
Ph: 02 9319 4088
CAMPERDOWN & GLEBE
Addi Rd Camperdown Low-Cost Food Pantry
31 Pyrmont Bridge Rd
Mon-Fri 12-4pm
Fresh food and variety of non-perishable groceries and personal care items (small cost per item).
Ph: 02 9569 7633
Living Hope Mission
831 Harden Pl, Camperdown
Tue 1.30-4.30pm
Free food pantry.
Ph: 02 9550 3444
Addi Rd Marrickville Low-Cost Food Pantry
142 Addison Rd, Marrickville
Mon-Fri 12-4pm, Wed 12-7pm incl. hot meals and street-side medics
Fresh food and variety of non-perishable groceries and personal care items (small cost per item).
Ph: 02 9569 7633
Glebe Youth Service
84 Glebe Point Rd
Mon-Fri 9.30am-5pm
Glebe After Dark program 6.30-10pm Fri & Sat, hot meals available.
Ph: 02 9552 2873
Glebe Assistance Partnership Program (GAPP)
St John’s House, 138a Glebe Point Rd
Mon-Wed 10am-12.30pm
Pantry food staples, assistance with budgeting, utility bills, clothing, advocacy and referrals.
Ph: 02 9552 4164
Pocket City Farms
31a Mallett St, Camperdown
Mon-Sun 24/7
Free street-side pantry filled with donated and excess farm produce.
Sydney Food Pantry
2 Stanley St & Balmain Rd, Leichhardt
Tue 9.30am-2.30pm, Fri 9.30am-2.30pm
Fresh food incl. fruit & veg, non-perishable items.
To register phone or SMS: 0449 844 006.
NEWTOWN & ERSKINEVILLE
Newtown Mission
280a King St, Newtown
Wed 12-3pm, Thu 5-8pm, Fri 12-3pm
Jordan Cafe lunch and dinner service.
Ph for emergency deliveries: 02 9519 9000
Asylum Seekers Centre
43 Bedford St, Newtown
Mon-Thu 10am-4pm, Fri 10am-3pm
Community lunch program available Tue, Wed, Thu & Fri 12.30pm for people seeking asylum.
Ph: 02 9078 1900
DARLINGHURST, KINGS CROSS & WOOLLOOMOOLOO
Mission Australia Emergency Relief
31 Roslyn St, Kings Cross
Mon, Tue, Fri 9am-5pm
Emergency food vouchers and financial assistance; appointments by phone only.
Ph: 02 9357 1144
Wayside Chapel
29 Hughes St, Potts Point
Mon-Fri 9am-9pm, Sat 9am-4pm, Sun 9am-3pm
Low-cost cafe.
Ph: 02 9581 9100
Rough Edges Cafe
120 Darlinghurst Rd, Darlinghurst
Tue 7.30-9pm in the St John’s church garden.
Evening food support.
Ph: 02 9360 6844
HopeStreet BaptistCare
174 Cathedral St, Woolloomooloo
Mon-Fri 9am-1pm
Low-cost cafe.
Ph: 02 8061 1500
Canice’s Kitchen
84 Roslyn Gardens, Rushcutters Bay
Mon-Sat 9am-11.30am coffee & sweets; 11.30am-12.30pm lunch
Sit-down meal service.
Ph: 02 9358 5229
Matthew Talbot Hostel for men
Talbot Pl, Woolloomooloo
Mon-Sun 7am-4.30pm
Breakfast (7.15am) and lunch (12.30pm)
Ph: 02 9358 8102
Ozanam Learning Centre
99 Forbes St (level 3), Woolloomooloo
Mon-Fri 9am-4pm
Hot drinks, cooking classes and nutrition workshops.
Weekly updates: www.vinnies.org.au/nsw/find-help/ozanam-learning-centre
Ph: 02 9358 8100
Reginald Murphy Community Centre
19 Greenknowe Ave, Potts Point
Wed 11.30am-12.30pm
Lunch – Reggie’s Kitchen, three-course meal for $10 (cash only).
Ph: 02 9265 9133
ULTIMO & PYRMONT
Uniting Harris Community Centre
97 Quarry St, Ultimo
Mon-Thu 10am-4pm (client appointments 1-4pm)
Food pantry and vouchers (Chex Cards) – please call ahead.
Ph: 02 9552 1140
SURRY HILLS
Salvation Army Street Level
Derby Ln, rear of 339 Crown St, Surry Hills
Mon-Fri 9.30am-1.30pm
Daily community activities.
Hairdressing 1st Mon; medical check Thu fortnightly; information, referral and casework; lunches $2; free community lunch Thu.
Ph: 02 9360 1321
Surry Hills Neighbourhood Centre (SHNC)
Level 1, 405 Crown St, Surry Hills
Fri 10.30-2pm
Community Cafe, Devonshire Tea/Danishes (free), other affordable options.
Ph: 02 9356 4977
Northcott Cafe (run by SHNC)
Northcott Community Centre
Wed 11am-3pm
Free cafe for community housing tenants.
Oz Harvest Refettorio
481 Crown St, Surry Hills
Tue-Fri 12pm-1.30pm, Sat 9.30-11.30am
Free lunch.
Ph: 1800 108 006
Buckingham House (Flourish)
45 Buckingham St, Surry Hills
Fri 1-2pm
BBQ.
Ph: 02 9393 92 40
