Kinetic and Foodbank Victoria partnership surpasses one million meals milestone

Four years ago, Kinetic and Foodbank Victoria embarked on an ambitious idea: transform two eighteen-metre ‘bendy’ buses into mobile supermarkets that could bring free fresh food and essential groceries directly to communities experiencing hardship.

The goal was to offer families not just food relief, but dignity and choice in how they shopped.

That idea has now delivered more than one million meals to Victorians in need.

The mobile supermarket program has grown steadily since its launch, but the past six months have seen its biggest impact yet. From July to December 2025, the buses made 69 trips across nine local government areas, reaching 10,174 families and distributing 256,213 meals. That represents 59% more families served and 41% more trips compared to the same period last year.

Each family received an average of 14 kilograms of groceries, with the total distribution reaching 142,341 kilograms. Fresh vegetables and fruit topped the list of products distributed, and 97% of all items carried a green health rating. For families who often have to cut back on fresh produce when budgets are tight, this access to nutritious food makes a real difference.

The Kinetic team has been hands-on throughout. SkyBus drivers take to the wheel each time the mobile supermarkets go out, while the SkyBus maintenance team keeps the buses running smoothly.

As part of Foodbank’s corporate volunteering program, staff from across Kinetic's Melbourne operations volunteer their time to help stock shelves and assist shoppers. During this period, volunteers contributed 105 hours packing food and 240 hours driving, helping deliver 29,570 meals and pack nearly 15,000 kilograms of groceries.

For Arthur Kambouridis, a SkyBus driver who has been behind the wheel of the mobile supermarket buses since its inception, the reward is simple.

"I love knowing that we’re helping local communities across Melbourne, and supporting families and individuals doing it tough,” he said.

"The help that Foodbank Victoria provides to Melburnians across the city is vital, and I’m happy I get to play a part in that.”

This milestone arrives at a critical moment. Statistics from Foodbank Victoria reveal that almost 874,000 Victorian households experienced food insecurity in the past year, with more than half a million facing its most severe form, skipping meals or going entire days without eating.

Kinetic Managing Director (Australia) Matthew Campbell said the partnership reflects the company's commitment to the communities it serves.

"Our buses move people every day, but through this partnership with Foodbank Victoria, we have the opportunity to do something more,” he said.

“Reaching one million meals is an incredible achievement, and it belongs to everyone involved – the team at Foodbank Victoria who make it all happen, our team members who volunteer their time, and the many helping hands who help us reach families in need.

“We are proud to continue this work and see where the next million meals can take us."

Kinetic has committed to supporting the program for a further two years, ensuring the purple buses remain a familiar and welcome sight in communities across Melbourne for the thousands of families who rely on them, that continuity means everything.