The Allan Labor Government is helping regional Victorians put food on the table with a major boost in funding for regional food relief services.
Minister for Carers and Volunteers Ros Spence today visited the Albury Wodonga Regional FoodShare to announce a further $1.5 million for six regional Foodshares to provide healthy food for Victorians in need.
The funding will continue supporting operations of the Foodshares in Albury-Wodonga, Shepparton, Mildura, Bendigo, Warrnambool and Geelong, and coordination of their services through the Regional Food Security Alliance (RFSA).
In the 2023-2024 financial year, the state's six Foodshares collectively sourced enough food for more than 6 million meals for people living in 35 local government areas across the state.
The Foodshares supply food they source through rescue, donation and purchase to local organisations that provide food relief such as welfare agencies, schools and community centres.
Through the RFSA the Foodshares also work together to share resources, manage large scale food donations, purchase cost-effective bulk food, and coordinate logistics.
In the twelve months to June 2024, the RFSA sourced and distributed more than 170,000 kilograms of food donations worth over $2.48 million. Additionally, the six Foodshares distributed more than 3 million kilograms of food.
Foodshares are supported by dedicated local volunteers and have experienced a 19 per cent growth in numbers - from 840 active volunteers in the 2022-23 financial year to more than 1,000 volunteers in 2023-24.
The Labor Government's investment in Foodshares has increased to 15 per cent more than the previous year's funding in response to higher demand for food relief.
Since 2020, the Labor Government has invested more than $56 million to strengthen the food relief system in Victoria including support for six regional hubs. In addition, $10 million has been provided to Foodbank for food relief hubs in Morwell and Ballarat that are now operating.
As stated by Minister for Carers and Volunteers Ros Spence
"We are continuing to invest in the food relief sector, which is experiencing high demand due to the rising cost of living."
"I am proud to continue to support the state's six regional Foodshares and the RFSA to do their important work in getting food to local organisations that put meals on the table for regional Victorians who need it most."
As stated by Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes
"I want to thank Albury Wodonga Regional Foodshare for the great work they do in the community. I'm proud that the Labor Government is delivering increased funding for Foodshares in regional Victoria, supporting their vital work in helping deliver food relief to people in need."
