Sean-Paul Stephens, CEO of Ngarluma Yindjibarndi Foundation Limited (NYFL), one of the community beneficiaries of the project, said that many families across the Pilbara were dealing with the daily pressure of food insecurity, housing stress and rising living costs.
“Partnerships like this matter. When corporates and NGOs work alongside community rather than over the top of it, we can build practical responses that make a real difference for families in Ieramugadu (Roebourne) and across the region,” said Mr Stephens.
Yindjibarndi man and NYFL Director Kevin Guiness said the work of Ieramugadu Store Maya, Roebourne’s community supermarket, was grounded in the cultural principle of Nyinyart, meaning reciprocity.
“Nyinyart is about looking after one another. It is not charity. It is the way our Old People taught us to live. When someone has something to give, they share it, and when someone needs support, the community comes together,” said Mr Guiness.
The new partnership will also help boost recycling rates at Sodexo’s mining villages in the Pilbara, which host an estimated 25,000 FIFO workers each day. The project aims to recycle 2,500,000 containers by 2030, reducing waste that would otherwise go to landfill.
Supported by Western Australia Return Recycle Renew Limited (WARRRL), the administrator of the Containers for Change program, Sodexo will expand the recycling system at some of its clients’ mining villages by introducing new branded recycling bins in bright, distinguishable colors and extra bins in high-traffic locations.
Sodexo Australia Managing Director Keith Weston said Sodexo was proud to support Foodbank WA in responding to urgent community needs.
“We’ve enjoyed a longstanding relationship with Foodbank, spanning over 13 years through our global philanthropic program, Stop Hunger,” Mr Weston said.
“Making sure people in remote and regional areas have access to nutritious food is a vital step toward strengthening food security, a key enabler of our Reconciliation Action Plan. Cutting landfill waste in our Pilbara villages while doing that is a win for everyone. With Stop Hunger turning 30 this year, we’re excited to keep championing local partnerships that bring us closer to a hunger-free world.”
According to Foodbank’s 2025 Hunger Report, 32% of WA households experienced food insecurity in the last 12 months. Cost-of-living challenges remain the number one concern for 91% of food-insecure households, followed by housing and the economy. These households are more likely to reduce their purchasing of fresh produce, protein and dairy. The WA Council of Social Services (WACOSS) said that food insecurity is 30% higher in remote Pilbara communities than urban areas. As part of its commitment to help alleviate food insecurity, Sodexo has pledged one million meals to be delivered across Australia by 2030.
About Sodexo Australia
Sodexo in Australia employs a diverse workforce of over 5,000 employees across more than 100 sites, providing services to over 25,000 Energy & Resources workers daily. Sodexo delivers a unique array of integrated services lines, including diverse Food services, as well as Facilities Management (FM) services like cleaning, aerodrome services, concierge, security, asset and building maintenance and hospitality services in the following segments: Corporate Strategic Accounts and Energy & Resources, both on and offshore. Sodexo Australia is committed to addressing food security and amplifying our deepening respect for cultural learning, building Indigenous talent and development programs, community-led engagements, and elevating partnerships with diverse Indigenous businesses. Learn more about our RAP here.
About Stop Hunger
Stop Hunger is Sodexo’s global philanthropic program working towards a hunger-free world through fundraising, volunteering and partnerships. Launched in 1996 as a school breakfast initiative by a group of Sodexo employees, Stop Hunger has grown into a global movement operating in 58 countries and working with more than 330 NGO partners. In 2026, Stop Hunger marks its 30th anniversary. The program addresses food insecurity and believes empowering women and younger generations is essential to creating lasting change. In Australia, Stop Hunger has pledged to donate 1 million meals by 2030.
About Foodbank WA
Foodbank is Western Australia’s largest hunger-relief organisation, delivering over 9 million meals annually to people in need across metro, regional and remote communities. Foodbank provides emergency food hampers through 350 frontline partners, runs a school breakfast program in more than 550 WA schools feeding 26,000 children weekly and delivers nutrition education to empower healthier eating and reduce food insecurity.
Contacts
Angela Snowball
VECTOR Advisors
+61 0488 990 728
asnowball@vectoradvisors.au
Rafael Silva
Sodexo Australia
+61 0400 057 404
mediarelations.au@sodexo.com
