Local Foodshare among locations to share in funding boost

THE state government has announced Geelong will share in a seven-figure financial boost as part of a bid to assist regional food relief services.

Minister for Carers and Volunteers Ros Spence announced last week that Geelong FoodShare would receive part of a $1.5 million funding injection, alongside five other regional Foodshares for Victorians in need.

The funding will support Foodshares in Albury-Wodonga, Shepparton, Mildura, Bendigo, Warrnambool and Geelong in coordination with the Regional Food Security Alliance (RFSA).

Minister for Carers and Volunteers Ros Spence said investment in continuing in the food relief sector due to high demand as a result of 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,” Ms Spence said.

The state’s six Foodshares collectively sourced more than 6 million meals for people living in 35 local government areas across Victoria in the 2023-2024 financial year.

In the past 14 months, the RFSA has also sourced and distributed more than 170,000kg of food donations worth more than $2.48 million.

Each Foodshare supplies food they source through rescue, donation and purchase to local organisations to provide food relief to organisations and institutions such as welfare agencies, schools and community centres.

Foodshares have also observed an increase in volunteers, rising from 840 active volunteers in the 2022-23 financial year to more than 1,000 volunteers in 2023-24.