Accounting team wins global recognition for food relief research
16 April 2026
A Monash Business School research partnership that helped food relief charity The One Box (TOB) triple its reach has gained international recognition for its real-world impact.
L-R, A/Prof Paul Thambar, Dr Zhiyun (Maleen) Gong, and Prof Ralph Kober.
The work, led by Professor Ralph Kober, Associate Professor Paul Thambar, and Dr Zhiyun (Maleen) Gong, won a 2026 Global Impact Award at the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International Conference in Seattle on Monday, April 13.
Associate Professor Paul Thambar said the award recognises both the valuable work of TOB and the importance of documenting its social outcomes.
“The award also affirms that accounting research can have both scholarly and real-world impact, reinforcing the role of business schools in addressing pressing social challenges and supporting communities,” Prof Thambar said.
The recognition comes as food insecurity continues to rise across Australia, despite increased government investment.
In Victoria, more than $74 million has been directed to food relief since 2020. National estimates suggest one in eight households is affected, with higher rates among low-income families.
Research shows food insecurity is linked with reduced physical and mental health and increased economic strain on the public health system.
Professor Kober said current food relief models providing one-off food parcels did not address the underlying long-term drivers of food insecurity.
“Cost-of-living pressures and price rises exacerbated by global factors, such as geopolitical conflicts, are placing additional strain on households,” Prof Kober said.
“As a result, even with increased funding, demand continues to outpace support, leading to a rise in food insecurity in Australia.”
How different model delivers consistent improvements
Most food relief programs also rely on donated surplus food, where supply is unpredictable, quality can vary, and access can be a barrier.
TOB’s model differs by providing a guaranteed weekly box of fresh fruit, vegetables and bread, distributed through local schools.
The researcher team worked with the charity to assess the outcomes of this approach.
Since 2020, the team has conducted more than 130 interviews with families and school coordinators, supported by ongoing survey data.
The findings show consistent improvements in three areas: access to nutritious food, connections with schools and the broader community, and household finances.
“These benefits include cost savings, improved mental and physical wellbeing, enhanced school performance among children, stronger community connectedness for families, and increased resilience to hardship over the long term,” Dr Gong said.
“The program also connects beneficiaries to additional services like employment training and mental and wellbeing support.”
The charity credits the research with its success in funding applications, enabling it to triple its deliveries from 40,000 boxes in 2020 to 120,000 in 2025.
The research has also informed a 2024 submission to Victoria’s parliamentary inquiry into food security, contributing evidence on the benefits of consistent, school-based food delivery models.
Associate Professor Thambar said the next phase of the research would explore how the model could be scaled across regional and national settings.
“We will also explore its effects on early childhood learning and development, place-based health and wellbeing outcomes, and the development of more effective philanthropic partnerships,” he said.
“In addition, we will examine how the partnership with The One Box influences employee retention and the creation of meaningful work for employees in the partnering for-profit business.”