We are pleased to announce the release of The One Box 2023 Annual Report, uncovering the impact of our fresh food relief program on Australian families in need. In 2023, we worked with more than 100 schools nationally to provide fresh fruit, vegies, and bread to over 2,500 households experiencing hardship each week of the school year.
At The One Box, our mission is clear – to ensure as many people as possible have dignified, reliable, and regular access to fresh and nutritious food. In a year of rising living costs impacting more Australians, we extended the impact of our multi-faceted program by:
- Distributing almost 115,000 fresh food boxes to over 2,500 households, via more than 100 school partners nationally
- Making fresh food more accessible and affordable for the wider community via our social enterprise, the Fresh Food Project
- Partnering with like-minded businesses to reach more families
- Securing eight new single-year grants, and one multi-year grant from local government and philanthropic organisations to better assist those in need
Partnerships driving positive change
This year’s annual report provides a snapshot of the power of business partnerships in scaling fresh food relief. For instance, The One Box’s ongoing partnerships with Bank First and Chobani demonstrate the impact corporate social responsibility can have on empowering local communities, fostering a culture of compassion and support.
“The One Box provides invaluable services that align perfectly with our mission. By utilising their expertise and resources to source and deliver our fruit donations for local primary schools, we can ensure that children in our community receive the nourishment they require to thrive, while also supporting The One Box in their important work.”
– Chobani
The Fresh Food Project
In response to the rising need for food relief, The One Box continued to reach members of the wider community through its social enterprise, the Fresh Food Project. Certified by Social Traders in 2022, the Fresh Food Project works with universities and other community groups to provide affordable, high-quality fresh produce and staples at approximately 50% of the recommended retail value. Pre-packed boxes and bulk produce arrangements are both available to meet individual program needs.
“Selecting the Fresh Food Project was an easy decision for us. Its mission perfectly aligns with our goal of supporting students experiencing food insecurity. By purchasing high-quality, seasonal Australian produce at 50% of the retail value, we can provide fresh food to a greater number of students, while also supporting local growers and a social enterprise. It’s a triple win!”
– The University of Melbourne
Independent Research & The Future
Monash Business School’s independent research continues to highlight the holistic impact of The One Box, which has fundamental benefits beyond financial or nutritional needs – fostering community connection, inclusion and trust, and greater family wellbeing.
“Besides the practicality of The One Box, it provides an immediate solution. Beautiful vegetables, fruit, and bread – it’s wonderful. It also allows continuity of communication and in turn connection. It allows us to do welfare checks and quick chats. The One Box creates a relationship.”
– Community Centre Coordinator
Their latest project, a Longitudinal Community Study follows recipient families for over 3 years, investigating The One Box’s impact on reducing food insecurity in the Dandenong region of Victoria. The results of this study are due to be published in our third research report, late 2024.
Get involved with The One Box
The need for fresh food relief is unmistakable, and we are grateful for our generous donors, and the hardworking staff and volunteers at our partner schools who enable us to reduce food insecurity. Together, we are on a journey to deliver 120,000 fresh food relief boxes in 2024 and invite you to join us in making a meaningful difference, one box at a time.
Read our latest Annual Report to discover what makes The One Box unique, the Fresh Food Project’s growing footprint, and how we’ve partnered with businesses like Bank First and Chobani to help families thrive.