Communities facing food insecurity will have increased access to healthier food thanks to grants awarded through the Victorian Government’s Community Food Relief program.
The Regional Food Security Alliance grant will see the organisation formalise its partnership with OzHarvest and SecondBite, increasing efficiencies and coordination efforts to reach more communities in regional and rural areas, such as Shepparton.
Carers and Volunteers Minister Ros Spence announced four organisations will receive grants for projects to improve coordination of the supply and distribution of food across 26 local government areas, supporting more than 400 charity partners and allowing more food to communities in need.
“By supporting these four organisations to better co-ordinate their efforts, we’re also supporting the hundreds of charity partners and the people who rely on their services for fresh and healthy food,” she said.
The $4.5 million Community Food Relief Program includes coordination grants and local grants to be announced in the near future, helping respond to rising demand for food relief amid cost-of-living pressures experienced by individuals and families.
Geelong Food Relief Centre will implement a new distribution model to manage and deliver food from Geelong across western Victoria, including to Horsham, Colac and the Golden Plains Shire.
OzHarvest will establish a new warehouse and distribution centre to increase food delivery efficiency and support an additional 12 organisations across south-east metropolitan Melbourne.
Meanwhile, SecondBite’s funding boost will be put towards the purchase of a 10-pallet truck to expand deliveries of rescued food to regional communities in need.
Felix Harding is a Greater Shepparton Secondary College student currently completing work experience with The News.