TCG Impact Report 2025

impact report

2025

IMPACT REPORT 2025

Acknowledgement of Country We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live, work and share food - the people of the Kulin nation. We pay deep respect to their Elders past and present, and to all First Nations people.

For tens of thousands of years, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have cared for Country and cultivated knowledge systems grounded in seasonal rhythms, abundance, and nourishment.

We honour this unbroken relationship with land, water, and food — and recognise that food justice cannot exist without truth, sovereignty and self-determination.

The Community Grocer supports Pay the Rent by paying 1% of trading profit each year.

The Community Grocer is a registered charity and social enterprise.

All donations over $2 are tax deductible

Contact us hello@thecommunitygrocer.com.au thecommunitygrocer.com.au

Contents MEet the board

05

Meet the team

07

Our Approach

08

Our Impact

10

Our Fresh Food markets

12

Our Community

14

Grocer Gift cards

18

Values-Based Procurement

20

Our 2025 Partners

22 IMPACT REPORT 2025 | 3

IMPACT REPORT 2025

Message from Board As The Community Grocer enters a new decade, we celebrate a year of remarkable growth, resilience and community impact.

With six thriving markets, we are reaching more people experiencing food insecurity than ever before, creating healthier, more connected communities. This achievement is only possible through the generosity of our funders and partners, the vision and leadership of our CEO, Georgia Savage, and the dedication of our exceptional staff and volunteers. We also honour the lasting contribution of founding director Dr Rebecca Lindberg and warmly welcome new directors Emily Dupuche and Scott Butler.

Together, we look forward with optimism, building a future where fresh, affordable food is accessible to all.

Grant Cooper Chair 2025

Meet the Board

Roslyn Aikman Treasurer she/her

Scott Butler Chair he/him

Peta Christenson Director she/her

Grant Cooper Deputy Chair he/him

Emily Dupuche Chair she/her

Kelly Durant Director she/her

Suzanne Kleve Director she/her

Rebecca Lindberg Director

[Retired December 2025]

she/her

IMPACT REPORT 2025 | 5

IMPACT REPORT 2025

Message from the CEO The Community Grocer had a remarkable year in 2025 - in a large part because of the incredible team, funders and partners who helped to turn a lot of ideas into action!

We launched our new strategy, which guided us to 6 thriving markets and a market replication model to enable more communities to benefit from The Community Grocer. With the increasing cost of living placing more pressure on households, we invested in the Grocer Gift Program to make more vouchers available and strengthen the evidence base of this innovative approach. We transitioned our values-based procurement from a funded project to a part of our everyday operations. We advocated for a path towards food security that is dignified and high quality, supports culturally diverse communities and builds local economies - via Parliamentary submissions and conference presentations.

At a time when the solutions to limited access to food are increasingly becoming emergency food relief and ultra-processed foods, our markets are increasingly important examples of alternate ways to create a food system that supports everyone.

Georgia CEO

Meet the Team

Antoine Procurement and Logistics Manager

Ayan Market Assistant Carlton and Flemington

Cass Market Assistant Richmond

Chloe Market Assistant Pakenham

Georgia CEO

Hannah Market Manager Fitzroy and Richmond

Kylie Market Manager Pakenham

Liana Market Manager Melton

Mads Operations Manager, Market Manager Carlton and Flemington

Mel Market Manager Pakenhan

Mon Skills Building Manager

Olli Market Assistant Fitzroy

Roni Grocer Gift Coordinator

Tori Market Assistant Melton

IMPACT REPORT 2025 | 7

IMPACT REPORT 2025

Our approach The Community Grocer is a community-based solution that’s working to make affordable, culturally relevant, nutritious food accessible for everyone.

One in three Victorians have experienced food insecurity in the past year.1 This means they have worried about or gone without food.

Fresh, healthy food is abundant. But financial stress, limited transport, cultural inaccessibility, and a lack of local options make it hard to access.

While emergency food relief is a common solution, only 25% of food insecure households use it due to stigma, ineligibility, or poor quality.2 Our approach builds on the understanding that food insecurity is a systemic issue, not an individual failing.

1 Foodbank Australia. [2025]. Foodbank Hunger Report 2025.

2 Ibid.

Our Vision Thriving, healthy communities - connected by food that is fresh, fair and for everyone.

Our Mission We revitalise local food systems in communities across Greater Melbourne by running weekly fresh food markets that provide access to affordable, sustainable and culturally relevant fruit and vegetables for all. Our vibrant and inclusive marketplaces increase food security, strengthen local economies and foster social connection.

Our values •

We embrace food as a vehicle for change

•

We centre people, place and community

•

We are inclusive and equitable, always

•

We take a whole of systems approach

•

We work in partnership as together we are stronger

Our model at a glance Our markets are an exemplary model of a holistic food security solution.

Each market is made up of different elements of this model, or in different amounts, reflecting the community, its strengths and its needs. In this way, the market becomes deeply embedded in, and driven by, community.

We are deeply collaborative, always seeking to work in partnership where we can.

S

FOO

Food Vouchers (Grocer Gift Cards)

S

Fruit and Veg Boxes

MIE

STABILIT Y

ES

Values-based procurement Weekly Fresh Food Markets

Community-led activations

Microenterprise development

AG

EN

CY

S SOC I

T

Y

Local volunteer & employment opportunities

wi th ot he rs

R

AC C

NO

Led ITY by T

EC U

L

IT Y

O EC

AI AV

IL AB

L CA

DS

m

Grocer y t i un

LO

he

m Co

n by community

U T I L I S AT I O N

Drive

Location - accessibility for and proximity to communities experiencing high levels of disadvantage

LI

hip s er n t par

AIN T S U

Delivered in

I AB

AL CONNECTION

Our model takes a holistic approach to addressing food insecurity, addressing all the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation Six Dimensions of Food Security. Our activities work together to support each community and ultimately create impact across food security, local economies and social connection.

IMPACT REPORT 2025 | 9

IMPACT REPORT 2025

Our Impact Food Security

87

all sold

of fruit and Vegetables SOLD through our markets

32% cheaper

than surrounding fresh food outlets.

70%

of new customers tell us their food security has improved since shopping with us

51,667 Victorians

supported to access affordable and culturally relevant food

70%

of customers say they eat more fruit and vegetables after shopping with us

15%

of customers use a Grocer Gift Card to purchase their fruit and vegetables

tonnes

(nearly 1 million serves)

76% Social connection

83%

of customers

of Grocer gift recipients preferred our vouchers to other types of emergency food relief.

Report feeling more connected to their community after shopping at The Community Grocer.

Local economies

100% 55% 16%

Australian-grown, Victorian grown; is sourced directly from Australian growers who prioritise sustainable, regenerative, and community-focused farming practices.

Grocer Gift cards generated, valued at over $65,000, enabling those experiencing critical food insecurity to economically participate in purchasingtheir fruit and veg

2,769

105

volunteers

18

micro enterprises

of different ages, cultural backgrounds, and experiences of food security

supported to train or operate a stall at our markets, reporting an increase in confidence, community connection and business growth.

“I love coming here. I’ve been coming six years, so it’s like a family.

You do build relationships and you do after a while start working your budget out to when [the market] is open. Then you start looking forward to going to your grocery shop.”

Edward, Fitzroy market customer

Social Impact Evaluation process and methodology The Community Grocer undertakes a mixedmethods evaluation annually, in partnership with Monash University.

The evaluation gathers and analyses both quantitative and qualitative data via a customer survey, a cost comparison tool, TCG Market Logs, the Square point-of-sale system and the Grocer Gift platform.

IMPACT REPORT 2025 | 11

IMPACT REPORT 2025

Our fresh food markets Everyone is welcome at our markets, where visitors choose from a range of fresh, culturally diverse fruit and vegetables that are high-quality and low-cost.

More than just a place to shop, they are vibrant gathering spaces that bring people together.

We launched two new sites in 2025, bringing our total to six markets across Greater Melbourne that help increase social, economic and physical access to fresh food.

275

18,423

across 6 locations.

supporting 51,667 people (402 households per week on average).

markets

households

served

87,556

kg

produce

sold

or 87 tonnes that’s 58 tonnes of veg and 29 tonnes of fruit.

2,064 boxes

sold

Pre-purchased boxes make our produce accessible to those who can’t come to the market in person.

“The fact I can get fresh produce at an affordable price is just great...wouldn’t be able to get this if it was from anywhere else. My kids eat so good now because of you.”

Customer, Melton

New

New

Our markets deliver food that’s fresh, fair and for everyone Markets held

Fitzroy

New

Richmond

Pakenham

New

Melton

49

43

MELBOURNE

Produce Sold (KG)

Boxes Sold

4680 23,975

874

Customer

2782

9,666

4

New markets in Richmond and Melton In 2025 we launched two new markets in Richmond and Melton.

50

2241

11,547

404

37

1758

8,813

214

By setting up in a public housing estate and an outer-city growth corridor, we’re continuing our commitment to providing more options for healthy food close to home for communities across Greater Melbourne.

Our Richmond market went on to win the 2025 Community Initiative of the Year Award from the City of Yarra!

flemington

49

3613

16,946

369

CARLTON

47

3349

16,617

209

IMPACT REPORT 2025 | 13

IMPACT REPORT 2025

Our Community The Community Grocer brings together a vibrant community that makes us much more than just a place to buy fresh food. Every week, our markets are brought to life by volunteers, microenterprise partners, and local residents who connect, share, and support one another.

Food security •

Nearly 70% of new customers tell us their food security has improved since shopping with us.

In 2025...

•

Our customers

The greatest challenges people face in accessing food is affordability (49%) followed by quality (44%) and variety (30%).

•

98% say they save money from access to more affordable fruit and vegetables at The Community Grocer, which they then spend on bills, housing, healthcare and transport.

•

•

•

We supported 51,667 Victorians access affordable and culturally relevant food.

We served 18,423 customers who support their households.

That’s an average of 402 households every week, where 55% of them include 3 or more people, and 47% of them have at least one child.

•

88% of customers attend the market on a weekly or fortnightly basis

•

54% live less than 5 minutes from the market.

•

50% of customers have been shopping with us for over a year.

Cultural diversity •

65% of customers are culturally and linguistically diverse, speaking at least 39 different languages.

•

4% of customers identify at Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.

•

•

Two-thirds of our customers are unemployed, underemployed or receiving Government payments.

70% report increasing consumption of fruit and vegetables after shopping with us.

•

87 tonnes of low-cost, high quality produce provided to our community. That’s nearly 1 million serves of fruit and vegetables!

•

4.27kg of produce bought per household, on average. That’s 2.69kg of vegetables (more than 35.8 serves) and 1.58kg of fruit (more than 10.5 serves).

Customer Story Muhummod was new to Pakenham when he received a Grocer Gift voucher from the Pakenham Community Hub. Having only been in Australia for about a year, the support helped him provide fresh food for his wife and children, and he’s been a regular ever since.

Having access to low-cost fresh produce has helped his family eat healthier.

“The produce is very fresh, and the vegetables and fruit help me to stay healthy,” he says.

“The fruits and vegetables are good for my heart.

We now have vegetables every night for dinner.”

He also values the welcoming atmosphere at the market, where he’s greeted by friendly folks who are always up for a chat. He says, “Everyone is always so helpful and happy to talk to me.

The staff are very good people, and it helps to practice my English.

I am very happy here.”

“Why do I keep coming to the Flemington Community Grocer on Saturday mornings? because it’s laughter, teamwork, comradeship, celebration, diversity, inclusivity, an enjoyable learning experience of Gen Y and Gen Z jargon and music, and yes, because we sell great produce as well.”

Diana, Volunteer at Flemington since March 2024

Our Volunteers 105 volunteers supported The Community Grocer in 2025.

•

88% were from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds

•

62% were under 30 years of age

•

Almost two-thirds were at-risk-of or experiencing food insecurity.

•

4,345 hours spent with us building skills, confidence and connection

•

They received a discount on produce, valued at $15,897 or 4% of trade revenue.

IMPACT REPORT 2025 | 15

IMPACT REPORT 2025

Microenterprises

Our markets are joined by incredible multicultural microenterprises, run by local residents and partners.

They each bring something delicious and different to the market space, from sambusa and mandazi to Ethiopian and Eritrean brew.

In 2025, we supported 18 microenterprises to train or operate a stall at The Community Grocer markets.

We helped deliver two training courses in partnership with Kensington Neighbourhood House.

100% of microenterprises surveyed reported an increase in confidence, 75% an increase in community connection and 38% reported business growth.

“Genuine inclusive multicultural community, love it”

Flemington Customer

Microenterprise case study Carmen Wong is the owner of food business Hou Mei Homemade, offering private dining, catering and cooking classes in the greater Melton area.

Carmen started as a customer of TCG Melton, procuring ingredients for her weekly cooking classes at the Kurunjang Community Hub. She seized the opportunity to host a fortnightly stall at Melton, pivoting from her usual offering of Cantonese foods to provide fresh baked breakfast goods including sweet and savoury muffins and pastries.

By trialing her pop-up stall alongside The Community Grocer, Carmen was not only able to develop a wider range of products to sell and test their popularity amongst the customer-base of the market, she enjoyed the boost in confidence from friendly market community who supported her business.

She is looking to trial a new online ordering system in 2026.

Community activities & engagement In 2025, we celebrated Lunar New Year, Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Diwali, International Women’s Day, and more across our markets.

By celebrating cultural events at our markets, we’ve seen how they bring people together, promote cultural understanding, and create opportunities for people to share pride in their communities.

We always have so much fun at these celebrations and find that community members who visit our markets really value joining in. Each year we’re seeing more and more community members taking the opportunity to order produce to prepare cultural dishes for the festivities and it’s a great way for our whole market community to learn about new fruits and vegetables.

83%

of customers report feeling more connected to their community after shopping at The Community Grocer.

IMPACT REPORT 2025 | 17

IMPACT REPORT 2025

Grocer Gift cards

“I really appreciate the vouchers (Grocer Gift program). I have come to this country from Afghanistan. I have no support here, and I can’t get a job yet. I have a family of eight that I need to feed, and it is very hard, there is not enough money for food.

Thank you so much for helping me.

The Grocer Gift Program is an innovative food voucher program that serves as a nutritious, choice-based alternative to traditional food relief. Distributed through our community partners, it enables people who are unable to pay to buy fresh fruit and vegetables at our markets.

In 2025, the fourth year of the Grocer Gift program: We generated 2,769 Grocer Gift Cards valued at over $65,000. These were distributed via 40 different partners, including schools, health services and community based organisations.

Approximately 15% of customers used a Grocer Gift Card to purchase their fruit and vegetables with us.

11% of our transactions used a Grocer Gift Card, with the average spend being $12.80.

Grocer Gift Recipient

76% of Grocer Gift recipients preferred them to other types of emergency food relief. The benefits they experience include: •

Connecting with our staff, volunteers and community (61%)

•

Being able to buy more fruit and vegetables (61%), and

•

Not needing to rely on other types of emergency food relief (33%).

Since launching in 2021, 10,818 Grocer Gift Cards valued at $204,753 have been generated, with a 70% redemption rate.

Building a case for innovative food security solutions NHMRC funding •

The Community Grocer is proud to be part of the FOOD VITAL (Developing evidence for the implementation of effective Food Voucher InitiaTives in AustraLia) partnership, which runs from 2025 to 2028.

•

This important research project will evaluate The Grocer Gift Card and Merri Food Hub’s food voucher programs, building an evidence base for how community-based food voucher initiatives can better support people experiencing food insecurity.

•

Funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), the project is led by researchers at Deakin University and delivered in partnership with The Community Grocer, Open Food Network, Cohealth and VicHealth.

IMPACT REPORT 2025 | 19

IMPACT REPORT 2025

Values-Based Procurement Our partner producers are the heart of our mission.

They use regenerative or chemical-free approaches to growing food, which means it’s healthier for people and the planet.

In 2025, we sold their produce at all six of our markets at low-cost, so that those living on a low-income could access quality, fresh fruit and vegetables that are otherwise prohibitively expensive.

In 2025: We had 152 different types of fruit and vegetables available.

Our top sellers are eggs, avocado, banana, corn, watermelon and okra.

100% Australian-grown, 55% Victorian grown 16% is from growers who prioritise sustainable, regenerative, and communityfocused farming practices.

And all of it is sold at a price that is 32% cheaper than surrounding fresh food outlets.

Producers

produce

how it’s grown

Peter Schreurs & Sons

Leeks and celery

Integrated Pest Management practices (IPM)

Shepherds Orchard

Unwaxed apples, pears, and stone fruit

IPM

Mount Prospect produce Mount Prospect Dja Dja Wurrung Country

Sebago, Dutch Cream, Red Merlot, Purple Sapphire, Royal Blues and Rosset potatoes

Regenerative practices that prioritise soil health and avoid synthetic chemicals.

Aintree Community Garden

Herbs and leafy greens

A hub for community education, connection, and inclusive participation.

Gabby’s Garlic

Coimadai Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Country and Wadawurrung Country

Traditional garlic like Pólvora, Camino, Italian Red, Tochliavri or White Pearl

Organic, hands-on methods, supported by The Community Grocer friends and volunteers.

Burd Eggs

Eggs

Low-density systems and regenerative land management

Seasonal produce

Currently establishing a First Nations food garden in collaboration with Traditional Owners, creating opportunities for cultural knowledge sharing, employment pathways, and community-led regenerative agriculture.

Clyde North Bunurong Country

Tuerong Bunurong Country

Aintree Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Country

Goulburn Valley Taungurung and Yolked up Plumpton Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Country

Growing Food Justice Bundoora park farm Bundoora

Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Country

Phil Shepherd | Shepherd’s Orchard Shepherds Orchard in Tuerong is a family-run gem where Phil Shepherd’s family, including his son Mitch, blend tradition with innovation. They use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices, letting “good bugs” keep the “bad bugs” in check, which means fewer chemicals and healthier fruit. Before focusing solely on growing fruit, they also ran a successful orchard nursery, nurturing young trees with care. Their orchard features old-world pear varieties like Beurre Bosc and Red d’Anjou, alongside a colourful mix of apples, cherries, peaches, and nectarines. True to their natural approach, they never wax their apples. What you see is what you get: Fresh, honest fruit straight from the tree.

IMPACT REPORT 2025 | 21

IMPACT REPORT 2025

Our 2025 Partners Partnership and collaboration is in the DNA of The Community Grocer - we simply couldn’t do the work we do without the support of a range of funders, suppliers, community based organisations and individuals who help us every single week.

To our funders and supporters in 2025, thank you!

Australian Department of Industry, Science and Resources

Clayton Utz

Australian Department of Social Services

Community Bank Clifton Hill North Fitzroy

Cardinia Life

Community Housing Limited

Cardinia Shire Council

Cultivating Community

Carlton Neighbourhood Learning Centre

Deakin University

Chobani Australia City of Melbourne City of Melton City of Moonee Valley City of Yarra

CoHealth

Debney Meadows Primary School Department of Families, Fairness and Housing Equity Trustees Fitzroy Neighbourhood House Greater Melbourne Foundation

headspace

Nelson Alexander Foundation

The Community Plate

Homes Victoria

North East Public Health Unit

The Felton Bequest

Kathleen Symes Library and Community Centre

North Melbourne Community Centre

University of Melbourne

Kensington Neighbourhood House

North Richmond Community Health

Learning Bank

Open Food Network

Living Learning Pakenham

Perpetual Limited

Melbourne Social Equity Institute

Pressroom Philanthropy

Melton Central Community Centre

Vichealth Victoria University Western Public Health Unit

Regen Melbourne Salvation Army

Mind Australia

Scanlon Foundation

Monash University

Supplementary Accounting Sustain Australia

IMPACT REPORT 2025 | 23

hello@thecommunitygrocer.com.au

This report was prepared with support from The Phil Taylor Foundation and Pressroom Philanthropy.