Fighting Food Waste

Belle co-founded FoodFilled in late 2018 while she was a Monash University student. In just a few years, FoodFilled has helped change the lives of over 400,000+ Victorians, now providing over 20,000 meals every month from 10,000+ kilos of edible food rescued. Currently, they work with charities supporting youth in crisis, families in need, asylum seekers, the homeless, people escaping abusive environments, and residing in rehabilitation centres, as well as the elderly and vulnerable.

Read on for our change maker interview with Belle!

Describe your career trajectory and how you got to your current position?

My career trajectory reflects an unwavering commitment to community, sustainability,  and driving meaningful change. I am the Co-founder and CEO of FoodFilled, a youth-led organisation addressing two critical challenges: minimising food waste to protect the environment and reducing food insecurity to ensure equitable access to nutritious food.

The road to this role has been diverse and enriching. From my university years, I immersed myself in political fellowships and internships, which shaped my understanding of leadership, advocacy, and systems change. After that, I took on a role as a copywriter at Melbourne Pathology, where I honed my communication skills while completing my university studies.

The FoodFilled journey began during my university years at Monash, when my co-founder, Benj Michelson, and I started picking up surplus food from local bakeries between classes. What began as a simple idea—redirecting surplus food to those in need—quickly evolved as the response from businesses and charities alike was overwhelmingly positive. Suddenly, we weren’t just rescuing food; we were building a network, inspiring volunteers, and fostering a movement. By the time I graduated, I knew this mission deserved my full attention.

Now leading FoodFilled full-time, I am proud to see how far we’ve come. From humble beginnings, we have built a robust organisation rescuing over 10,500 kilograms of food each month, supporting more than 21,000 people, with a total of 490,000 meals provided since our inception in 2018.

Take us through a typical day of work for you.

A typical day as CEO of FoodFilled is dynamic and purpose-driven, blending strategic oversight with hands-on involvement. My mornings often start early with a review of emails and setting priorities for the day. I’ll then have team check-ins or meetings with key stakeholders, such as donors, corporate partners, or volunteers, to strategise on campaigns, logistics, or partnerships.

A significant part of my day is focused on fundraising and managing relationships with our key stakeholders, as these are critical to ensuring FoodFilled’s growth and sustainability. I also dedicate time to meeting potential partners and collaborators to explore innovative ways we can expand our impact.

Midday often involves diving into operational matters—reviewing reports, addressing logistical challenges, or contributing to compliance, insurance, and legal discussions to ensure the organisation remains on solid ground.

Afternoons are often dedicated to strategic reflection, brainstorming new ideas, planning long-term initiatives, and connecting with team members to ensure clear and cohesive communication.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve encountered in your career, and how did you overcome it?

The biggest challenge I’ve encountered in my career was leading FoodFilled through the uncharted waters of the Covid-19 pandemic. As a young leader of an essential organisation, I was thrust into a period of unprecedented uncertainty and rapid change. Overnight, the demand for food assistance skyrocketed as isolated groups and vulnerable individuals faced enduring food insecurity. Our partner charities needed more food than ever, yet many of our regular food retailers were inoperable due to lockdowns.

At that time, I was the only full-time staff member, leading a grassroots organisation heavily reliant on volunteers. I felt immense pressure to ensure FoodFilled not only met this exponential increase in demand but also adapted to remain operational amidst the chaos. Our processes, built for a pre-pandemic world, required a complete overhaul.

Instead of succumbing to the challenges, I chose to see this as an opportunity to grow stronger. I worked tirelessly to secure new partnerships, establish alternative means of food collection, and develop innovative solutions to support our charities. I leaned on the resilience of our volunteers and the support of our community to meet the moment.

This period was transformative for me both personally and professionally. It tested my adaptability, problem-solving skills, and emotional endurance. Although the obstacles were significant, they emphasised the strength of teamwork and the importance of staying steadfast in our purpose.

If you could go back in time, what piece of advice would you give yourself as you first embarked on your career?

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to embrace the uncertainty and trust in the process. When I first embarked on my career, especially with FoodFilled, I had so many questions about whether we were doing the right things and if we were equipped for the challenges ahead. I would remind myself that it’s okay to not have all the answers right away and that resilience and adaptability are key.

I would also encourage myself to lean into the support of others and not to be afraid of asking for help when needed. There’s so much value in building strong relationships with mentors, peers, and the community. And finally, I’d tell myself to celebrate the small wins along the way. In the early days (and even still now), it was easy to get caught up in what wasn’t working, but those small victories paved the way for the bigger ones.

How do you unwind after work?

To unwind after work, I make sure to get some movement in—whether it’s going for a walk, attending a pilates class, or going to the gym. Exercise is a great way for me to clear my head and shake off the intensity of the day. I also prioritise spending time with friends and loved ones, which helps me switch gears and reconnect with what truly matters outside of work.

However, as much as I try to disconnect, it’s often hard to fully switch off. Running an organisation like FoodFilled means that there’s always something to think about. I’ve learned that while it’s important to rest and recharge, the work is always a part of me, and that’s okay. It’s all about finding a balance that allows me to stay energised and present for both my personal life and my work.