Food relief efforts backed

INITIATIVES towards improving delivery of food relief to people in the Bendigo region have received a substantial Federal Government funding boost.

Bendigo Foodshare has been allocated more than $665,000 for its new Community Food Hub, which is being built in Golden Square.

Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters announced that the money is coming from round one of the Growing Regions Program, which is providing about $207 million across 40 priority projects across Australia.

The contribution to Bendigo Foodshare will help pay for the installation of refrigeration and storage facilities, solar panels, water tanks and charging stations, a commercial kitchen fit-out and epoxy floor finish at the warehouse.

When it is finished in October, the new $3.8 million facility on the corner of Breen Street and Belle Vue Road will almost triple the storage capacity of the organisation’s existing warehouse.

Bendigo Foodshare chief executive officer Michelle Murphy said the organisation was grateful to the government for recognising its critical role in providing food relief across Central Victoria.

“This significant injection of funds provides the final piece in our funding puzzle, enabling us to complete the fit-out of our new warehouse,” Ms Murphy said.

“The new facility will increase our capacity to rescue, store and distribute food and couldn’t come at a more critical time, when many people in regional areas are experiencing incredibly challenging times that are sadly pushing them into food poverty.”

With the help of more than 250 volunteers, food donors, corporate, community group and individual supporters, Bendigo Foodshare sources, collects and distributes food to people in need through a network of more than 80 food partners.

Ms Chesters said the new funding would significantly enhance Bendigo Foodshare’s capacity to serve the local community and address an escalating demand for emergency food relief across the region.

“I know there are people in the community doing it tough, and the team at Bendigo Foodshare do an amazing job to support those facing food insecurity,” she said.

“This funding will provide Bendigo Foodshare with the necessary resources to complete the fit-out for their new Community Food Hub, which will expand their services to help even more Bendigo residents.”