Celebrating 20 Years of SecondBite: Empowering communities, fighting food insecurity
2025 marks the 20th anniversary of SecondBite, a milestone that reflects two decades of unwavering commitment to fighting food insecurity in Australia.
Founded by Ian and Simone Carson in 2005, SecondBite began with a simple yet profound idea: to reduce food going to landfill while providing food relief to those in need. Inspired by the vast amount of good food being discarded at a local market in Melbourne, Ian and Simone decided to take action. They gathered their friends and family, loaded their cars with surplus food, and delivered it to a nearby charity. What began as a small but significant effort quickly gained momentum.
In the early days, SecondBite was collecting 600 kilograms of food, enough for about 1,200 meals. Today, it has grown into one of Australia’s largest food rescue organisations, distributing the equivalent of more than 350 million meals across the country since its foundation. This extraordinary growth has been driven by the belief that all Australians, regardless of their circumstances, or where they live should have access to healthy, nutritious food.
Our 20th anniversary year offers a chance to reflect on the impact SecondBite has had over the years. We celebrate the lives that have been touched, the communities that have been supported, and the partnerships that have allowed us to expand our reach. Through the generosity and relationship of our donors, volunteers, and importantly…with the people we serve in our community, our charity partners, we have been able to provide nourishment and hope to those facing food insecurity, especially in times of crisis.
However, our anniversary is not just about looking back. It’s a moment to look ahead, to renew our commitment, and to set our sights on the future. While the numbers are impressive, the true measure of SecondBite’s success is the difference we’ve made in people’s lives. Our work has not only filled empty stomachs but also empowered communities, reduced quality food going to landfill, and raised awareness about the importance of food security.
As we reflect on these 20 years, we are reminded that food insecurity is still a significant issue in Australia. Despite the progress we’ve made, many individuals and families continue to face barriers to accessing food. This reality fuels our determination to keep pushing forward, to innovate, and to find new ways to ensure no one goes hungry. We recognise the importance of collaboration and know that achieving our vision of an Australia without food insecurity requires the support of all sectors—government, business, and communities alike.
Our 20th anniversary celebrations are a moment to express our gratitude to everyone who has been part of SecondBite’s journey. To our volunteers, donors, partners, and staff, your support has been vital in helping us reach this significant milestone. We are proud of what we have accomplished together, but we know that the work is far from done.
As we move into our third decade, we remain focused on our purpose: to provide healthy food, reduce surplus food going to landfill, and ensure that everyone in Australia can access the nutrition they need. We invite you to join us in continuing this vital work, to reflect on the progress we’ve made, and to look forward to the impact we can still achieve.
Here’s to 20 years of SecondBite—and to many more years of making a difference in the lives of those who need it most.
“When we first started SecondBite, we were shocked by how much nutritious, fresh food was being discarded while, at the same time, we knew so many people in our community were struggling to get enough to eat.
What began as a simple idea to reduce food waste and help those in need has now become a nationwide effort.
As we celebrate 20 years of impact, we are incredibly proud of the difference we’ve made together with our community partners, volunteers, and supporters. While there is still work to be done, today is about expressing our gratitude and celebrating how far we’ve come and the lives we’ve been able to touch along the way.”
— Simone Carson, SecondBite co-founder