Chobani to invest $150,000 in Victorian community organisations tackling food insecurity
Chobani’s grants program returns for a second year, backing practical, community-led solutions that improve access to good food.
Melbourne, Australia – 14 July 2026 — Chobani Australia has opened applications for the second year of The Big Difference, its grants program backing Victorian community organisations working to address food insecurity.
In 2026, Chobani will provide $150,000 in funding, with grants of up to $20,000, $30,000 and $50,000 available for practical, community-led projects that improve food access and strengthen the systems behind it.
The program supports projects across four focus areas: building capacity, testing new ideas and programs, scaling proven models, and strengthening organisational sustainability. It is designed to support lasting change, rather than short-term food relief.
Community impact in action
In 2025, The Big Difference funded four organisations across regional and metropolitan Victoria, which continue to extend their impact on their communities today.
Echuca Neighbourhood House received a $50,000 grant, enabling it to triple its fresh food output and reduce waste by 30% after investing in cool room and freezer infrastructure.
Outer East Food Share – a food redistribution network spanning Knox, Maroondah and the Yarra Ranges – received a $30,000 grant. They deliver 480 tonnes of food a year, serving more than 50 agencies and reaching the equivalent of two million meals.
On the Mornington Peninsula, the Capel Sound Community Hub received a $20,000 grant, enabling it to expand its kitchen garden to increase access to fresh produce for local families.
Then in Rosebud, Southern Peninsula Community Support, a $30,000 grant has funded a kitchen and pantry upgrade, increasing its capacity to meet rising demand from people experiencing housing insecurity.
What Chobani is looking for in 2026
“What we saw through the first year of The Big Difference is that many of the most impactful responses to food insecurity are already happening within local communities and at a grassroots level. Often, what those organisations need is practical support to strengthen, grow or test the work they know can make a difference,” says Tim Browne, GM ESG and General Counsel at Chobani Australia.
“That’s what The Big Difference is designed to do. It backs the practical things – from infrastructure and equipment to new models, systems and capacity – that help organisations reach more people and build more resilient food programs over time. For Chobani, this is one way we can use our resources to support Good Food For All in a targeted and lasting way.
The program is open to eligible Victorian not-for-profit and community organisations working to address food insecurity. Projects may include food rescue and redistribution, community food programs, food access infrastructure, food waste reduction, new models or programs, and improvements that strengthen long-term organisational resilience.
How to apply
Applications for The Big Difference 2026 are open from 14 July to 25 August. Recipients are announced in November. Full eligibility criteria and the application form are available at www.chobani.com.au/the-big-difference.
About The Big Difference
The Big Difference is Chobani Australia’s annual community grants program, investing in Victorian organisations working to reduce food insecurity. The program is part of Chobani’s Good Food For All purpose.
