Hey Mullum! Did you know that, since the pandemic, Mullumbimby & District Neighbourhood Centre (M&DNC) has been running a low-cost community pantry? And over the last few years it’s really expanded.
Our Gulganii pantry, located at 3 Bridglands Lane, is part of a much bigger food security and food recovery program designed to reduce waste, support local people, and strengthen community connections.
Gulganii pantry is open to everyone. Whether you’re looking to stretch your grocery budget, reduce food waste, or simply support a great local initiative, everyone is welcome. We stock a range of low-cost groceries purchased through Foodbank, and with a minimum spend of $5, visitors can also access complimentary items such as bread, fruit and vegetables, dairy products, meat, and frozen meals, depending on availability.
Behind the scenes, our food recovery van rescues perfectly good food from supermarkets and local businesses that would otherwise end up in landfill. That food helps stock the pantry, supports free community meals, and is turned into frozen meals. Any food that can’t be used by people is diverted to animal feed or compost, ensuring as little as possible goes to waste.
You can donate
You may have also seen us at the Mullumbimby and New Brighton Farmers Markets, where shoppers can buy a little extra produce from local growers and donate it to the pantry. These donations help provide fresh, healthy food to community members and support our community meals program.
We’re always looking for ways to grow. Local food businesses can donate surplus food that is still fit for human consumption. Perhaps you’re a caterer who has over-catered for an event, or a local business with stock approaching its best-before date. Community members with excess fruit, vegetables, or herbs from their gardens are also encouraged to donate.
While the impact of these programs continues to grow, most of our food security and food recovery work is delivered without dedicated funding, meaning we rely heavily on the generosity of local businesses, community members, volunteers and donors to help keep the doors open, and these vital programs running.
Most importantly, none of this happens without our volunteers. They are truly the heart of the neighbourhood centre. From stacking shelves and collecting food donations to preparing meals and supporting pantry operations, our volunteers help keep the program running every week.
If you’d like to donate, volunteer, or learn more, we’d love to hear from you. Together, we’re reducing waste, sharing food, and building a stronger community. And if you’ve never visited before, we’d love to welcome you. The pantry is for everyone.
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