Foodbank Vic wins global award for using better data to cut food cost

food charity

The food charity is the first Australian organisation to win the Qlik Global Impact Award.

Foodbank Victoria has been recognised with an international tech award for using smarter data to improve the sourcing and distribution of 25 million meals to Victorians annually. The charity has achieved a 15% reduction in food cost per kilogram.

“Foodbank Victoria’s data transformation made us more efficient at what we do,” said Kennie Greagen, Foodbank Victoria, Applied Research and Innovation Manager. “We’ve significantly improved how we get the right food to the right areas using data-driven decision making – and we are now doing it at a lower cost.”

Greagen accepted the Global Impact Award at the Qlik Global Transformation Awards 2025 on behalf of the organisation. The charity was recognised for its innovative use of Qlik Cloud Analytics to transform operations, reaching around 70% of Victoria’s total food relief.

Greagen said the award win was the result of Foodbank Victoria’s commitment to using data in smarter ways to meet rising community needs.

“We’re incredibly proud to be recognised on a global stage for using smarter data to deliver more food, more efficiently, to Victorians who need it most,” she said. “We deliver over 25 million meals each year through 500 charity partners and 1,000+ schools and spend about $5 million a year on food. Now, we can tailor that with detailed dashboards that show what’s needed, what’s coming in and what to source to fill the gaps.”

Greagen said that by centralising, automating and analysing data from multiple sources, the charity has improved the way it acquires, distributes and tracks food in real time.

“It means that we identify short-dated products and move them quickly, so waste has come down significantly,” she noted. “And we can pinpoint areas of more or less demand, and allocate culturally appropriate food, with data-driven accuracy.”

Working with data transformation consultancy Notitia, Foodbank Victoria implemented a Qlik Cloud Analytics solution that integrates internal Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) data and external public datasets to uncover needs across culturally diverse communities. Foodbank Victoria’s team has used the Qlik technology platform to enable data transformation.

“It has empowered our people to better understand local food demand and respond rapidly,” Greagen added.

Alex Avery, Notitia Managing Director, praised their collaboration with Foodbank Victoria.

“Foodbank Victoria is a world-class example of using data for the public good,” Avery said. “Their expert team brought bold ideas and a clear mission — we’re proud to have supported their transformation and to see this well-deserved global recognition. What makes this project especially meaningful is the direct impact it has on Victorians. Every efficiency gain, every insight, means a better result on the ground.”

Meanwhile, Charlie Farah, Qlik Field CTO for Analytics and AI, commented on the award’s significance.

“Foodbank Victoria’s use of Qlik Cloud Analytics is a powerful example of how data can drive meaningful social impact at scale,” Farah said. “Their ability to turn insights into action is exactly what the Global Impact Award aims to celebrate and is a testament to the extraordinary innovation, commitment and real-world outcomes achieved by Foodbank Victoria.”

Read also: St Vincent De Paul Society VIC marks soup vans’ 50th year with new hub

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Geraldine is currently the Content Producer for Third Sector, an Akolade channel. Throughout her career, she has written for various industries and international audiences. Her love for writing extends beyond the corporate world, as she also works as a volunteer writer at her local church. Aside from writing, she is also fond of joining fun runs and watching musicals.

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