QVM food rescue program turns surplus produce into relief for struggling Melburnians

Thousands of kilograms of surplus fresh food from Queen Victoria Market will now be redirected to people in need under a new food rescue initiative aimed at tackling both waste and rising food insecurity across Melbourne.

Launched in May, the program will collect unsold fruit, vegetables and other fresh produce from some of the market’s biggest traders each week and distribute it to community food relief organisations across the city.

The initiative is being delivered through the Melbourne Food Rescue Network, a partnership between the City of Melbourne, Queen Victoria Market (QVM), STREAT and SecondBite, with support from the Victorian Government.

It marks a practical response to two growing issues facing the city: the huge volume of food waste generated at major fresh food markets, and the increasing number of residents struggling to access enough nutritious food.

QVM, the largest open-air market in the Southern Hemisphere and the City of Melbourne’s biggest source of fresh produce, generates up to 800 tonnes of surplus food and organic waste each year, roughly the equivalent weight of nearly 30 Melbourne trams.

Under the new program, food that might otherwise go to waste will instead be redirected into the city’s food relief network.

The early signs are promising. One tonne of food has already been collected in the first four weeks alone.

Lord Mayor Nick Reece said the initiative was about ensuring good food reached those who needed it most.

“No-one in Melbourne should have to choose between paying a bill and feeding their family,” he said.

“This food rescue program is about getting good food onto the plates of people who need it most.”

The launch comes against a sobering backdrop. Recent City of Melbourne data found that food insecurity remains a major challenge across the municipality, with 47 per cent of residents reporting food insecurity in 2025. The same data found 32 per cent were worried they would run out of food, 28 per cent had skipped meals, and 20 per cent said they had run out of food altogether.

Community and City Services portfolio head Cr Gladys Liu said the partnership showed the value of bringing different parts of the city together around a shared problem.

“This partnership shows what can happen when government, community organisations and local businesses work together to support people doing it tough,” she said.

“We’re continuing to invest in food relief, strengthening the community networks more people are relying on than ever before.”

The City of Melbourne has committed $200,000 to the program and secured an additional $94,000 from the Victorian Government’s Community Food Relief – Local Grant Program.

Victorian Minister for Carers and Volunteers Luba Grigorovich said the state was proud to support the initiative.

“The Victorian Government is proud to support the City of Melbourne and Queen Victoria Market to help rescue more quality food, reduce waste and strengthen food relief efforts across the state,” she said.