Tree · Mullumbimby, Northern Rivers NSW, Australia
Gulganii Community Pantry
Mullumbimby's low-cost, no-questions-asked pantry fed by local food recovery
Shine Sunlight to follow their work and see how it grows.
Since 2021Works locallyNorthern Rivers
Run by the Mullumbimby & District Neighbourhood Centre since June 2021, Gulganii sells staples at low cost to anyone for a $2 annual membership, with no Health Care Card needed, and a $5 spend unlocks free fruit, vegetables, bread and other rescued food. A food recovery van collects surplus from local supermarkets and businesses for the pantry and free community meals, and inedible food goes to animal feed or compost. It has served over 5,090 community members and distributed over 12,000 kg of free food, run largely on volunteers and donations.
The pantry works on the values of choice, dignity and empowerment. In 2024 the centre launched a $100,000 appeal as government funding was due to end, and a June 2026 Echo feature described the program running mostly without dedicated funding. Donations are also collected at the Mullumbimby and New Brighton farmers' markets.