Foodbank
The ASRC Foodbank supports people seeking asylum and refugees to access food and essential items in Melbourne. The program provides equitable access to culturally appropriate, nutritious food and basic groceries to our clients in a welcoming and social environment. This page provides information for people seeking asylum on:
- how to get help with groceries, toiletries and other food needs in Melbourne.
- how to contact the ASRC Foodbank team for support.
New to the ASRC
If you are new to the ASRC and need access to food, please call 03 9326 6066 or come to the centre and our team can assess your circumstances. We are open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 10:00am–12:30pm and 1:30pm–3:30pm.
If you are eligible, you can pick up your food at the Foodbank. We are located on Level 2 of the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre at 214-218 Nicholson St, Footscray VIC 3011.
Existing members
Foodbank Supermarket
If you are a current ASRC client, eligible to access the Foodbank, you can come in and shop at the Footscray centre.
ASRC Foodbank at Footscray is currently open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 11:00am – 12:30pm and 1:15pm – 3:30pm. The Foodbank is closed on Wednesdays.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are an existing member, you can come to the ASRC to shop Monday to Friday 11:00am – 12:30pm and 1:15pm – 3:30pm without an appointment.
Home Delivery was offered as a response to COVID-19 and state-wide lockdowns. People can now come into ASRC to do their weekly or fortnightly shop at Foodbank.
Frequently Asked Questions - Existing Members
Yes, when you come to the centre to shop you can select which items you would like.
Yes, we have a category system which shows you how much is allocated to your household size per week or fortnight.
Each household receives both pantry staples and fresh produce. The pantry items include basmati rice, dried pulses like chickpeas or lentils, tea or coffee, salt, sugar, long-life milk, pasta and toilet paper. You can also select tinned goods from a range including tuna, tomatoes, coconut cream, vegetables and pulses. Greek-style yoghurt and flatbread are also available.
There are also a variety of specialty items which we try to make available as often as possible, such as honey, spices, nuts and dried fruits. The Foodbank also offers toiletries, dishwashing liquid and laundry powder. Sanitary pads are also available.
The fresh produce section of the Foodbank offers onions, garlic, potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, apples, oranges and greens, as well as seasonal produce such as eggplant, cauliflower, sweet potato, chillies, capsicum, cabbage and herbs, and sometimes lemons and other seasonal fruits, when available.
With the exception of tinned tuna, all food distributed through the Foodbank is vegetarian. Milk, eggs and yoghurt are included, and there are many vegan protein options available such as dried and tinned pulses, and plant-based milk is available on request.
Additional Support
I need food but I am not seeking asylum. Where can I get help?
We want to help connect you to other service providers offering food relief services for the wider community. Search your location in the links below to access food assistance in your neighbourhood.
Connect with us
Need help from the ASRC? Call 03 9326 6066 (Monday - Friday, 10am - 5pm) to book an appointment.