SecondBite and FareShare have announced they will merge from 1 July, 2024, after identifying aligning values.
FareShare, which was founded in 2021, operates Australia’s largest non-profit kitchens in Melbourne and Brisbane which transforms rescued and donated food, as well as produce grown on their own farms, into approximately two million meals for people in need, every year.
SecondBite, founded in 2005, works with farmers, retailers, and manufacturers to harness approximately 25 million kilograms of surplus quality produce every year, providing it to more than 1000 charity partners supporting their communities experiencing food insecurity.
Daniel Moorfield, CEO of SecondBite, said in initiating a merger, both organisations had identified strong operational and values alignment.
“Combining the incredible community-led culture of FareShare with the national scale and heartfelt reach of SecondBite will enable a single solution for providing free, nutritious food to communities who need it most. It will enable growth, resulting in a greater supply of food, as well as a more tailored approach, where the need is greatest.”
Moorfield said the merger was a timely and logical next step for the two organisations after many years of collaboration at Board, executive and operational levels – including a longstanding commitment by SecondBite to supply ingredients with which FareShare cooks meals for SecondBite to distribute through its network.
“FareShare and SecondBite have long recognised the complementary nature of each organisation; realising that working together enables increased support to those in the community who need it most.”
Sandy Dudakov OAM, Vice Board Chair at FareShare, said the merger would transform the sector.
“FareShare meals can be distributed nationally in the community utilising the existing SecondBite network. Front-line agencies will have the convenience of a single delivery providing SecondBite food and FareShare meals.
“Our reach will be wider, and our ability to provide more nutritious meals to many more people will be vastly improved. My hope is that this merger will inspire even greater collaboration between all members of the food relief sector,” said Dudakov.
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