A MEDICAL condition means a healthy diet is a necessity rather than a choice for Arncliffe couple Brenda and Hani Tawbe.
But living on a pension meant that fresh fruit and vegetables were often a luxury they couldn't afford until they heard about Community FoodCare in Arncliffe.
The Community FoodCare program began in 2008. It provides free fruit, vegetables and bread to concession card holders.
The pair have been using the service for three years and Brenda said it had made a huge difference to their health and lifestyle.
"My husband is diabetic and it's a tight squeeze trying to buy all the fruits and vegies for a healthy diet so this helps us enormously," she said.
"It would be a really hard stretch to eat healthy and eat the proper food we should be having."
It all started at Bay City Church in Arncliffe but has proved so successful its expanded to nine other sites around the state.
In Arncliffe the service runs on Thursday morning and night, supporting 80 people.
This week is Anti-Poverty Week and to celebrate Community FoodCare will have a morning tea on Thursday.
Bay City Church pastor Andrew Harper said the week great chance to talk about people's needs.
"We know that so many people are living in poverty.
"We want to promote our service so that families that need it are aware of it," he said.
Details: communityfoodcare.com.au