- $1.5 million in Cook Government funding to support food relief for vulnerable Western Australian families
- Foodbank, OzHarvest and Second Bite will each receive a donation of $500,000 through the 2024-25 State Budget
- The funding will help boost the supply of nutritious food for families seeking food relief
- Part of the Cook Government's commitment to relieving cost of living pressures for Western Australian families
The Cook Government has announced a funding package of $1.5 million through the 2024-25 State Budget to provide food relief for struggling families.
Foodbank, OzHarvest and Second Bite will each receive a $500,000 donation from the State Government to support their operations and provide assistance to Western Australian families impacted by the rise in cost of living.
The funding is part of the Cook Government's commitment to providing cost of living relief, with measures including energy bill credits, free public transport, free or reduced fee TAFE training courses and the WA Student Assistance Payment already helping vulnerable families.
The $1.5 million funding support will go directly towards key projects aimed at putting more food on more tables, with access to higher-quality produce.
SecondBite will purchase a new 13 tonne truck to significantly expand on its collection and delivery network within a three-hour radius of its metropolitan base, which will allow collection from a greater range of farm gate donation partners and in turn increase the amount of food delivered to partner charities.
OzHarvest is building on its Food Rescue operations and will continue to work closely across its network of more than 200 partner agencies and charities. This will ensure more fruit and vegetables are included in care hampers, to supplement existing rescued and non-perishable produce.
Foodbank is using its donation to enhance baseline protein supplies and close service supply-gaps by dealing directly with distributors. This will see more meat products added to stock, while improving the nutritional quality of services offered.
As stated by Community Services Minister Sabine Winton:
"As Community Services Minister, I know the increased cost of living is putting extra pressure on families across the State.
"These donations for SecondBite, OzHarvest and Foodbank will directly help those organisations to better assist hundreds of families that rely on food relief.
"We want to make sure all families can put nourishing meals on the table and look forward to working with SecondBite, OzHarvest and Foodbank to provide this vital support.
"The Cook Government is doing everything it can to assist Western Australian families doing it tough. We will always put Western Australian families and their needs first."
