Great question - yes and no. Yes, we provide food relief. No, that's not all we do. Since 2021, the cupboards have served the purpose of rescuing food before it goes to landfill, as well as improving community connections. Everyone is encouraged to visit our cupboards and help us save good food from going to waste. Community members experiencing food insecurity are encouraged to visit our cupboards, free food markets and monthly meals. We have a pinned post in our Facebook group with more consistent resources for you too though as our cupboards can be quite unpredictable. Ask Izzy is another fantastic resource.
Since September 2023, we (Montrose Community Cupboard) have been a registered charity. In April 2025, we (Montrose Community Cupboard Inc) updated our association structure to incorporated (and thus had to re-register as a charity under the new structure). We also changed ABNs but we are the same people, doing the same thing, for the same purpose.
EVERYONE! Our main purpose is to rescue food from landfill. So when we say EVERYONE, we mean everyone.
If there's something you need, take it. If there's something you have in your pantry or garden that you won't use, donate it and save it from going to waste- and make others in the community happy at the same time Post a photo when you donate so the community knows what's available.
Regularly! We don't often post these as we like for people to stop by and be surprised with what they find. Sometimes the cupboards will be empty, sometimes they will be bursting. We also hold weekly markets from 3-4pm on Saturdays. The location alternates between Kilsyth and Montrose, keep an eye on the Facebook group page for updates (events are pinned to the top of the page in the featured section).
Pat works in the flower industry. Any flowers that are past their optimal sale date are added onto the stand, instead of going to waste. Flowers get added a couple of times a week. The flowers are free too. We also donate to two local aged care facilities for their floristry classes and to brighten up their days.
Our advice would be to check with your local council to cover your bases and then find a cupboard on your local Buy Nothing Facebook group or marketplace. There are a few resources online, including Local Food Connecthttps://localfoodconnect.org.au/links/food-is-free/
We're also happy to chat to you for advice.
