About the Freshie Bag:
Freshie Bag is currently only available in Hobart. Registered collection happens every Thursday at the Sandy Bay campus.
Freshie Bag is coming soon for Newnham and West Park campuses.
The Freshie Bag gives students an opportunity to try new food, cook new recipes, and eat a balanced diet of different-colored fresh foods.
Alarmingly, 42% of our students are food insecure, and many are forced to make the difficult choice to go without. We want to lower this number by ensuring that our students are well-fed and taken care of.
Stay updated on the Freshie Bag scheme through our website and Facebook page.
Each bag will contain:
- Staple root vegetables (onions, carrots, and potatoes)
- Locally grown herbs from Source Eco Hub (Sandy Bay)
- Fresh fruit and varying seasonal produce (from food rescue partners)
If you have any questions please reach out to our email: FreshieBag.Orders@utas.edu.au or send us a message on Facebook.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How much does a Freshie Bag cost?
There is no cost for Freshie Bags; however, registration is essential. In partnership with Tasmanian food rescue organization Loaves & Fishes, TUSA is able to offer Freshie Bags free of charge.
What will I get in a Freshie Bag?
Freshie Bags include a variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables, sourced exclusively from Tasmanian suppliers as part of TUSA’s partnership with Loaves & Fishes. For more detailed information, please refer to the Loaves & Fishes website.
Where can I collect my Freshie Bag?
Registered Freshie Bags can be collected in Sandy Bay on Thursdays between 12-2 pm. Collection points for Newnham and West Park campuses are yet to be finalized, so please check the Freshie Bag Facebook Page for updates.
For the Sandy Bay Campus, the collection point is the TUSA Student Lounge. You can find directions to our locations here.
How do I register for a Freshie Bag?
Freshie Bag registration is available exclusively online through the TUSA website. The deadline for registration each week is Wednesday at 12 pm for the Sandy Bay Campus, and registration reopens every Thursday at 5 pm.
Will I know what’s in my Freshie Bag before I order?
Unfortunately, we are unable to provide specific details about the contents of the Freshie Bag before ordering. As a food redistribution partner for Loaves & Fishes, we receive produce through state-wide partnerships, and the contents of each bag may vary from week to week based on availability. Generally, bags will contain a mixture of fruits, vegetables, and herbs.
How long will a Freshie Bag feed me for?
Our dedicated volunteers sort the bulk food donations from Loaves & Fishes in accordance with Australian Dietary Requirements, aiming to meet the average minimum fruit and vegetable needs for one person for a week. Each Freshie Bag is designed to be as close as possible to 4.7 kg, providing five servings (75g) of vegetables per day and two servings (150g) of fruit.
Please refer to the Australian Government website for further details by clicking here.
I don’t live near Hobart, Launceston or Burnie, can is still buy a Freshie Bag?
Freshie Bags cannot be delivered and must be collected in person. Therefore, we kindly ask that only students who can collect the bags from the designated collection location on the specified collection day (Thursdays between 12-2 pm) register for Freshie Bags.
If I miss the collection time, can I still pick up my order?
Freshie Bags that are not collected during the designated time will be donated to Source Eco Hub for use in their community events program, such as Saturday gardening bees with free lunch.
If I miss the order deadline, can I still order a Freshie Bag for this week?
Unfortunately, if you miss the order deadline, you will not be able to order a Freshie Bag for that particular week. We encourage you to ensure timely registration to secure your bag.
Can I cancel my order?
If you have registered for a Freshie Bag and need to cancel, please contact us as soon as possible. This will allow us to offer your bag to another student and effectively redistribute the donated food from Loaves & Fishes.
To cancel a confirmed registration, you can reach out to us through the Freshie Bag Facebook page, email us at freshiebag.orders@utas.edu.au, or call 03 6226 6407.