More than half of Australians are buying less food than they would like because of rising grocery costs, according to new YouGov research commissioned by the St Vincent de Paul Society NSW.
The survey found four in five (83 per cent) Australians are spending more on groceries than they were 12 months ago, while 55 per cent say financial pressures have forced them to cut back on food purchases.
Cost-of-living pressures are being felt across all income brackets, with households earning less than $50,000 (82 per cent), $50,000-$99,000 (82 per cent), $100,000-$149,000 (83 per cent), and over $150,000 (87 per cent) all saying they are spending more on groceries than a year ago.
Financial pressures also made it harder for 55 per cent of survey respondents to keep their household stocked with essential items.
The survey comes as demand for food assistance continues to grow across NSW, with requests for food assistance through the St Vincent de Paul Society NSW increasing by 5 per cent over the past year.
Yolanda Saiz, St Vincent de Paul Society NSW chief executive, said the research reflected what volunteers and members are seeing in communities across the state every day.
“The survey shows Australians are buying less food because they simply can’t afford the grocery bill, and we’re seeing the consequences of that every day through increasing demand for food assistance.”
The St Vincent de Paul Society NSW has supported more than 106,000 people across the state through its members in the last year, providing more than $9.7 million in food-related assistance with hampers, supermarket vouchers and Christmas hampers.
Food assistance remains one of the most common reasons people seek help from the society, accounting for nearly three in four people (73 per cent) assisted by local members in the past year.
“When households are buying less food and struggling to keep basic essentials stocked at home, it doesn’t take much for a financial setback to become a crisis,” Ms Saiz said.
St Vincent de Paul Society NSW State President Peter Houweling said the organisation continued to rely on community support to meet growing demand.
As demand for food assistance continues, the St Vincent de Paul Society NSW is encouraging people who can help to support its Hampers of Care appeal. Details: nsw.vinnies.org.au/hampersofcare.
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More than half of Australians buying less food as Vinnies NSW sees increase in food assistance requests (St Vincent de Paul Society NSW)
