A $2.8 million Malinauskas Government investment is helping more South Australian families to manage day-to-day expenses and achieve greater access to affordable food and essential supplies, as cost-of-living pressures continue to drive increased demand for support services across the state.
The investment reflects a focus on early and effective intervention, community-led solutions and practical support to help South Australians manage ongoing cost-of-living pressures.
The funding, delivered through the Government's Social Supermarket Program, is expanding capacity at Baptist Care SA's WestCare Centre in the Adelaide CBD, one of the state's busiest social supermarket services, enabling increased operating hours, improved infrastructure, a dedicated food delivery vehicle and longer-term service sustainability.
The expansion of WestCare is part of the Government's broader Social Supermarket Program, which is investing nearly $2.8 million across services in Seaford, Adelaide CBD and Port Pirie. The program is designed to help people access low-cost food in a dignified setting, while also connecting them with wraparound supports and community services.
The Adelaide CBD and surrounding suburbs have been identified as areas of high demand and limited supply, with grocery prices, fuel costs and broader household financial pressures contributing to increased need.
Around 16,500 people accessed the service last financial year, with numbers on track to rise again this year. Many visitors also report purchasing food for other members of their household, meaning the impact of the service extends well beyond those attending in person.
WestCare has seen demand surge, with up to 133 people attending in a single day surpassing previous COVID-era peaks, and average daily visits now sitting between 80 and 110 people.
This investment forms part of the Malinauskas Government's broader cost-of-living agenda, which includes:
- making public schools free from 2027 delivering $300 million in savings for families over four years;
- an $8 million expansion of Seniors Card eligibility, which will remove existing work-hour limits and extend access to an estimated 80,000 additional older South Australians;
- expanded sports vouchers for older teenagers;
- more out of school hours care; and
- housing initiatives supporting renters, first home buyers and older South Australians.
It also builds on existing relief already delivered, including:
- $200 off school materials and services fees in 2025,
- two $100 School Sports Vouchers per school-aged child,
- free 24/7 public transport for Seniors Card holders,
- expanded Cost of Living Concessions for renters and Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders,
- a $6.5 million expansion of school breakfast programs, and
- a $4 million partnership with The Smith Family to support an additional 700 families each year.
More information about the Social Supermarket Program will be available as services roll out across the state.
Information about the DHS Food Security Program is available at:
Food security | DHS and Cost of Living | DHS
As put by Human Services Minister Katrine Hildyard
We know many households are under pressure from grocery prices, fuel costs and broader financial strain, and we are determined to act in ways that make a difference to those who need a hand.
Services like social supermarkets play a vital role in helping people manage those pressures in a practical way.
This $2.8 million investment is part of a broader effort to ease cost-of-living pressures, with practical support already helping families, seniors and renters, and more relief on the way.
It reflects our government's commitment to impactful, early and effective intervention and community-led solutions delivered in partnership with trusted organisations that meet people where they are, rather than waiting until families reach crisis point.
This investment ensures more South Australians can get the support they need, when they need it and is about stepping in early to help South Australians access affordable, nutritious food in a way that protects dignity, choice and respect.
This is part of a wider approach across government to support families earlier, and back community organisations that are already doing the hard work on the ground every day.
As put by Stefano Tocci, Manager WestCare Social Supermarket
When you're feeding a family, every dollar matters and that's why social supermarkets are experiencing record numbers and becoming an essential service for so many.
