OzHarvest supermarket Waterloo: Photo of residents queuing sums up cost-of-living crisis

Australia’s rising cost of living has been summed up in one heartbreaking photo of people from all walks of life lining up for free food.

Residents, from the very young to the old, are pictured waiting in line for food at a free supermarket in central Sydney.

Employees at OzHarvest supermarket in Sydney’s Waterloo have reported an alarming rise in visits from the ‘working poor’: working poor – including nurses, teachers and lawyers – unable to feed themselves amid rising unemployment. cost of living.

A former wealthy attorney who has battled alcoholism said he visited the store because he “can’t afford food anymore.”

Nearly half of Australians claim they can’t afford to fill their carts at current grocery prices, while four in five are actively working to lower their food costs, according to recent research from Suncorp

It was revealed yesterday that the cost of food has skyrocketed in Australia’s two supermarkets, with groceries rising 10.4 per cent at Coles in April and 8.7 per cent at Woolworths over the same period.

The research, conducted by investment bank UBS and analyzing more than 60,000 supermarket products, found that fresh food prices have increased by nearly 10 percent.

It’s because inflation has risen to just under 7 percent despite 11 consecutive rate hikes, raising fears that another rate hike could follow next week.

Nearly half of Australians claim they cannot afford to fill their carts below current grocery prices, while four in five are actively working to reduce their food costs, according to recent research from Suncorp.

The plight has forced people from all walks of life to line up for free food at places like OzHarvest.

John, a senior lawyer who was in court last week to represent a client, said he had fallen on hard times after two divorces and a battle with alcoholism.

“It was very humbling to come to a place like this, and I fell from a great height,” he said news.com.au.

“I was well respected, money was plentiful and two divorces later, and because of my drinking I’ve lost my money, and I come here because I can’t afford to buy food anymore,” he revealed.

“Without the place I wouldn’t be eating, and the people here are so non-judgmental, and you feel comfortable, and that’s reassuring,” he added.

Kat, a social worker for OzHarvest, said she noticed more people were rushing to work seeking help, including nurses, teachers and lawyers.

OzHarvest collects excess food from commercial outlets and donates it to charity

“…they’re embarrassed to be here because they’re working, but we say you’re welcome because people only come here if they’re really necessary,” she said.

“Right now it’s the perfect storm. People earn what they earned two years ago, but now everything is more expensive and they can no longer make ends meet.’

She added, “The nurses and teachers who come, they break my heart. They come in their uniform before or after their shift, and they just explain that life is tough right now, and that they are in need and looking for some relief.”

OzHarvest was founded in 2004 by a businesswoman Ronni Kahn who was appalled at the amount of food being wasted in her event planning business.

The food rescue organization is all about collecting high-quality surplus food from commercial outlets – including high-profile restaurants – and then delivering it free of charge to more than 800 charities to bring relief to vulnerable people across the country.

Last year, the charity celebrated its 200 millionth meal.