19/08/2026
Cobden Food Rescue Market at risk due to poor behaviour.
In partnership with Cobden UC Op Shop, we held the most recent Food Rescue market last Friday 14th August at the Cobden UC Hall.
We designed this initiative to be a welcoming community event with the aim of redirecting food that was heading to landfill back into the community, both reducing food waste while also benefiting community with free food.
We ask very little of those attending market day, but being mindful and considerate of others is a non-negotiable.
We were shocked at the behaviour of many who came along to market day last Friday.
Instead of a calm and happy community event, it felt more like the stampedes of people trying to get bargains at the Myer stocktake sales of old.
There was no consideration of more vulnerable members of the community, especially those with mobility issues, who were put at risk of physical harm because of the rush to get inside.
There was also no consideration of the other people attending market day by how swiftly items were grabbed, especially stock in low supply.
This is unacceptable and completely at odds with the principles and purpose of this program.
Due to the significant nature of this behaviour, we have decided that this is the first and final warning: if this behaviour is to occur again, we will cease operating the Food Rescue Market program in Cobden.
The Food Rescue Market program is not a food relief or welfare service, it is a community based food waste reduction program. It is not designed to be fulfilling the needs of those in financial stress or food insecurity, there are other supports and services available to assist in those instances.
If you are in need of food relief, there are supports available, go to: https://camperdownch.com.au/services/foodbank/
If you are in need of financial support, please refer to the service information provided in this post. (see attached)
