Words: Loaves & Fishes

For too many Tasmanians, the question of where the next meal is coming from isn’t hypothetical, it’s real. Loaves & Fishes Tasmania exists to answer that question. Our Brighton warehouse is one of the locations where it all begins. Every week, tonnes of rescued and donated food pass through its doors, sorted, packed, and sent out to families, seniors and individuals across the region who are quietly doing it tough. It’s unglamorous work and it matters enormously.

But we’ve never seen ourselves as just a food bank. Food is the open door, and what comes next is where the real change happens. Our kitchen training programs give people practical, job-ready skills in a professional environment, and many go on to build careers in hospitality and food service. A hamper might get someone through the week – qualification can change the direction of their life.

To keep that work funded and growing, we run a range of social enterprises including Campers Pantry, Hoozles Honey and Forth Valley Olive Oil. Every product sold helps us do more. It’s a model we’re proud of: good food, doing good.

Brighton has been a generous and welcoming home for our operations, and we don’t take that for granted. The volunteers, local partners and community members who show up for us make everything possible.

If you’d like to get involved through volunteering, donating, or simply telling someone we exist, we’d be glad to hear from you. You can call 03 6417 3131. No one in this community should go hungry. We’re working on it every day.