Fighting Hunger on the Frontline

Mackay Schools To Benefit As Foodbank Launches Townsville Hub

A powerful hunger-fighting initiative is taking shape in North Queensland, with Mackay schools set to benefit from expanded free breakfast clubs as Foodbank Queensland opens its first Townsville Distribution Centre.

The new hub will provide urgent support to 2,000 local families and strengthen food relief efforts across the region—including increased assistance for students in Mackay—thanks to the generosity of local businessman and philanthropist Brad Webb.

Local charity Food Relief North Queensland (FRNQ), supported by BM Webb Industrial Property, has handed over its existing operations, facilities and equipment to Foodbank Queensland.

Foodbank Queensland CEO Jess Watkinson said FRNQ had done amazing work already in North Queensland.

“We are now looking forward to building on Mr Webb’s extraordinary legacy in food security in the region,” said Ms Watkinson.

“It is a problem that touches 36% of regional Queenslanders, against 28% of residents in metropolitan areas.”

Having a dedicated base in Townsville will ensure Foodbank Queensland can expand services across the region.

Mr Webb said he was passionate about the cause and giving back to his community.

“It’s why I offered everything to Foodbank Queensland,” said Mr Webb.

“They have the background and experience to not only match what we were doing at FRNQ but expand on it and help even more people.”

Foodbank Queensland will immediately engage with local communities and organisations to establish where expansion is most needed.

Foodbank Queensland will continue to provide free fruit and School Breakfast Programs to a number of schools in Townsville, Cairns and surrounding areas, with the aim to increase food relief and respond to community feedback and needs.

The Distribution Centre will enable Foodbank Queensland to better support surrounding schools and communities in areas including Mackay and the Whitsundays, North Queensland and Far North Queensland.

“Just this year, when floods devastated so much of this area, we saw how vital it is to have food relief in place and ready to roll out when it’s needed,” said Ms Watkinson.

“We will be able to do that more effectively to more areas because of this Townsville Distribution Centre.”

The Townsville Distribution Centre is a key component of Foodbank Queensland’s expansion of services across the state, with BM Webb Industrial Property further supporting in the establishment of a larger, purpose-built facility in Townsville within the next three years.

Foodbank Queensland Key Figures
• 26,000,000 meals/year
• 150,000 Queenslanders helped every week
• $85m retail value in food donated by producers, supermarkets and farmers
• 93% of all food sourced saved from going to waste
• Over 350 Community Partners

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Mackay schools are set to benefit from expanded free breakfast programs and improved food relief services, as Foodbank Queensland’s new Townsville Distribution Centre strengthens support across North Queensland.

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