All-One Activist: Lyndon Galea of Eat Up

Dr. Bronner’s “All-One Activist” series profiles influential activists who are advancing the core causes that Dr. Bronner’s supports through its philanthropy and advocacy.

As part of our ongoing All-One Activist series, we are highlighting the organisations we support through the All-One Australia Initiative and other charitable giving programs. 

Eat Up's mission is to feed hungry students so they can grow, learn and succeed. With the help of their partners and dedicated volunteers, each week they make and deliver over 30,000 lunches directly to Australian schools for vulnerable children. 

Dr. Bronner’s has supported Eat Up since the All-One Australia Initiative began in 2020. The organisation’s commitment to social justice and community betterment is a story of hope and kindness. We had the privilege of interviewing Lyndon Galea, Founder of Eat Up, and asked him about the impact the organisation is striving for, its evolution, and how they overcome challenges.

What is Eat Up’s mission, and what work or programs bring that mission to life?

Eat Up is Australia’s only charity providing free school lunches to disadvantaged children on a national scale. Our mission is simple: to ensure no child goes hungry at school. By providing children with the food and fuel they need, we help them to learn, grow, and succeed. Ultimately, we aim to break the cycle of poverty and give all Aussie kids a brighter future through equitable access to education.

How did Eat Up get started, and what does the work mean to you personally?

It all started in 2013 when I was a university student living back home in Shepparton, Victoria. I read a heartbreaking article in the local newspaper about kids regularly going to school without lunch. It struck me that this was a problem I could do something about immediately. With the help of some friends and my mum, we made 200 sandwiches and delivered them to two local schools. That simple act was the beginning of Eat Up. Today, we’re supporting over 1200 primary and secondary schools across Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory.

This work means everything to me because I’ve seen the long-term impact that equitable access to education can have. Teachers constantly tell us that when kids are hungry, they struggle to concentrate, making it almost impossible for them to learn. When Eat Up steps in, they report improved concentration, greater participation, and a stronger connection to their peers. Crucially, it also improves school attendance. Families who are struggling can send their child to school without the embarrassment of an empty lunchbox, knowing their child will receive a nutritious meal without judgment. It removes a huge barrier for these families.

I’ll never forget one teacher sharing a story: “We’ve got one boy that comes up sometimes to get lunch and you’ll say ‘where’s your sister?’ and he’ll say ‘I made her lunch but I haven’t got any’. He’s in Grade 1. That sort of stuff goes on a bit.” That’s why we do what we do, to make sure no child ever has to go without.

How has the work of Eat Up evolved over the years? Are there any key milestones or shifts you’ve seen?

The biggest shift we’ve seen, particularly post-COVID and with the current cost-of-living crisis, is the growing need. We’re hearing from many food insecurity charities that people accessing our services are doing so for the very first time. The demographic of beneficiaries has definitely shifted, which is concerning.

However, despite the growing need in Australia, I’m incredibly proud of our ability to scale. Eat Up now makes and delivers 1.5 million sandwiches per year. What makes this milestone so special is that every single one of those sandwiches is made by our community and corporate volunteers! Their commitment is truly the backbone of our growth. The old adage is particularly true for us: many hands make light work.

How do you choose which issues to prioritise when it comes to Eat Up’s work, and what are some of the key issues you are currently focusing on?

One of our key strategic objectives as we’ve grown has been to continuously improve the nutritional value of the lunches we provide. When we first started, our hero cheese sandwiches were all we could deliver. Now, thanks to incredible in-kind contributions from our food partners and philanthropic foundations, in metro areas we provide yoghurt, and nutritious snacks to accompany our sandwiches and fresh fruit when funding is available.

A major focus right now is improving our reach in regional Australia. We recently successfully piloted our Regional Snack program, which started in Victoria and is now expanding to other states. Historically, we relied on community volunteers in regional areas to make and deliver lunches using their own vehicles, which limited the refrigerated and fresh items we could provide. With this new initiative, we are using our refrigerated fleet to deliver a wider variety of nutritious snacks, giving children more options beyond the cheese sandwiches, which are still generously made and delivered by our massive army of community volunteers.

Are there other movements, organisations, or approaches you find especially inspiring or aligned with your vision for change?

In 2024, I travelled as part of my Churchill Fellowship to selected countries that have long-established, institutionally and government-supported in-school lunch programs to learn from their models. Japan and Italy were particularly inspiring because they’ve created a beautiful ceremony around serving and eating lunch together, which is something special. I also visited the UK and met with people like Jamie Oliver and Chef Russ, who are hugely dedicated to this cause. The reimbursement model used in the USA was also interesting to explore.

Closer to home, we have fantastic local examples like Mooroopna Park Primary School, located within the greater Shepparton region, where a universal in-school meal program has been running for some time now thanks to incredibly passionate school staff. We also have inspiring work being done in Tasmania by people like Julie Dunbabin and the School Food Matters program. These programs prove that, with the right backing, all kids can have access to nutritious food at school, leading to equitable access to education and brighter futures. We currently have some exciting pilot plans underway to support the highest needs schools and communities even more deeply.

Why is an “All-One” or intersectional approach important for organisations that support people in need?

When you are working to solve a problem like child hunger, you quickly realise it’s not an isolated issue. It intersects with poverty, access to education, mental health, and community connection. An "All-One" approach, to me, means recognising that we are all part of the solution. When companies like Dr. Bronner’s partner with us, it’s not just about the money; it’s about aligning with a shared value of supporting the most vulnerable in our communities. We can’t break the cycle of poverty by just providing food; often, an Eat Up lunch can help start the discussion between teachers and parents.

How has Dr. Bronner’s support helped advance your work, and why is it important that companies like Dr. Bronner’s fund this kind of impact?

Support from companies like Dr. Bronner’s is absolutely critical. Their funding doesn't just put sandwiches in lunchboxes; it provides us with the resources to scale our operations, invest in logistics like our refrigerated fleet, and ensure the consistent, reliable delivery of nutritious food across the country. It’s important because it allows us to focus on the mission while providing sustainable, long-term backing. When mission-aligned companies like Dr. Bronner’s step up, it sends a powerful message that corporate social responsibility is about investing in genuine, measurable impact that transforms a child's educational opportunity and, ultimately, their future.

How can readers best support your work?

The simplest and most direct way to help is to make a donation to Eat Up! Just $30 provides one month of school lunches for a child in need. You can also get involved with our "Sandwich Squad" by volunteering with your workplace or at one of our public volunteer events. Head to our website (eatup.org.au) or follow Eat Up on social media to find out more. Every single hand makes a difference!