New Foodshare warehouse complete

BENDIGO Foodshare has received the keys to its new three-point-eight-million-dollar state-of-the-art food relief warehouse in Golden Square.

Available floor space has grown from 320 square metres at its outgoing facility in Long Gully, to 1000 square metres, with the storage of 42 pallets of frozen food and 42 pallets of cool room food now possible, compared to 16 pallets before.

Foodshare’s board chair Sue Clarke said its team is focused on the remaining warehouse fit-out and landscaping, now builders Fairbrother, and architects Y2 Architecture are finished.

“Next week we will start new site inductions for our 250 volunteers, before moving from our current Long Gully location, which has been our home for more than 11 years,” she said.

Ms Clarke said during the many years of planning the build, the demand for food from the community has increased.

“The ask is so much bigger now, continuing to confirm the need not only for the fantastic warehouse facilities but also for the beginnings of a Food Hub, which is planned for the remainder of the site,” she said.

“A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has contributed to getting us to this stage, you are all champions for those who might be hungry or trying to decide whether to pay that bill or feed the kids.”

Y2 Architecture director Matt Dwyer said he was proud to be involved in this community project.

“This clearly demonstrates the benefit of local consultants’ contributing to the urban and social fabric of Bendigo,” he said.

Operations at the warehouse are expected to begin in late August.