One year ago, Quest began our partnership with Foodbank Australia with a simple belief: that hospitality extends far beyond our doors. It is about showing up for our communities, creating moments of care, and ensuring people feel supported, especially when times are tough.
Twelve months on, that belief has only grown stronger. Our first year of partnership has shown what is possible when our teams, guests, franchisees and partners unite behind a shared purpose. Together, we have helped Foodbank deliver meals, dignity and hope to Australians facing food insecurity, a challenge highlighted so starkly in the Foodbank Hunger Report 2025.
This impact has been felt deeply by Foodbank’s frontline teams. As Foodbank CEO, Kylea Tink shared:
“The support we received from The Ascott in 2025 literally changed the landscape for Foodbank Australia in how we secure vital connections across the food supply chain nationally.
For our teams who travel regularly, the savings we made from the support meant we could direct more of our fundraising dollars to securing food for those in need. At the same time, for those travelling, having a friendly face at the end of the day as they checked into a Quest property made time away from family a little more pleasant.
Thank you to The Ascott for such a wonderful contribution during 2025. We look forward to many more years ahead, working together to end hunger in Australia.”
Her words reflect the heart of this partnership: practical support that creates real, measurable impact, and human connection that sustains the people doing the work.
Quest's 2025 Impact at a Glance
88 nights of in kind accommodation enabled Foodbank Australia staff to visit emergency areas and food producers and farming regions to secure major food donations to feed the country.
Direct donations of $15,000 supporting Foodbank’s national operations and helping more food reach more communities.
2,400 kilograms of food donated by communities to Quest’s Winter Food Drive at Quest properties around the country, equivalent to thousands of meals for families facing hardship.
72 Quest Business Owners and team members volunteering 366 hours of hands on support at Foodbank Warehouses in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.
Why This Work Matters
The Foodbank Hunger Report 2025 reveals the scale of food insecurity across Australia:
48 percent of renting households experienced food insecurity in the past year.
67 percent of households including a person with disability or health issues are now food insecure.
46 percent of single parent households experienced severe food insecurity.
Even households earning $91,000 plus are increasingly affected.
Behind every statistic is a family making impossible choices, and that is why our partnership matters.
Impact in Action: James’ Story
Foodbank’s work reaches the furthest corners of the country, from farm gates to warehouses, from regional producers to national industry conventions. Their teams are constantly on the move, and the ability to travel efficiently and affordably is critical to securing nutritious food for Australians in need.
In 2025, Quest’s in‑kind support of 88 nights’ accommodation made this possible. Two standout examples come from Foodbank’s National Supply Chain Manager, Fresh & Chilled, James Trickey, whose work demonstrates the tangible value of this partnership.
Hort Connections, Brisbane, June 2025
With Quest’s support, James attended the week‑long Hort Connections event, one of the most significant gatherings for Australia’s horticulture sector. During this time, he was able to:
Connect with more than 30 new and existing food donors
Rescue tonnes of fresh produce from the event, which went on to feed communities across Queensland
Participate in multiple farm visits, meeting growers on the ground and strengthening relationships essential to Foodbank’s supply chain
This single week resulted in an untold volume of fresh, nutritious food into Foodbank’s national network.
Tasmania Producer Visits, September 2025
Later in the year, James travelled through Tasmania to meet with primary producers and manufacturers across the salmon and dairy industries. These visits deepened Foodbank’s relationships with key suppliers and opened new pathways for sourcing high‑quality protein and dairy for families experiencing hardship.
Across both trips, the impact of Quest’s support was clear: when accommodation costs are removed, Foodbank can direct more funding to sourcing food, and more food reaches the people who need it most.
And as we reflect on this first year, one thing is clear: this is just the beginning. Our commitment to Foodbank will continue because the need is real, the impact is tangible, and the heart of our people makes a difference every day.
The Power of Showing Up
From packing hampers to sorting produce, from hosting food drives to providing accommodation during peak demand periods, Quest Business Owners and their teams have shown what hospitality looks like in action. It is warmth, generosity and care extended to those who need it most.
Looking Ahead
As we move into our second year with Foodbank, our commitment remains unwavering. We will continue expanding our volunteering efforts, deepening our community engagement and finding new ways to support Foodbank’s mission of a hunger free Australia. Stay tuned for how you can support.
Because when we show up together, we feed more than meals, we feed hope.
