The Allan Labor Government is helping Victorians experiencing food insecurity access fresh and healthy food with a new grant program for food relief providers in Victoria.

Minister for Carers and Volunteers Ros Spence today announced the opening of applications in the $4.5 million Community Food Relief Program.

The program includes two streams of grants that will support local, regional and statewide food relief for Victorians.

Local Grants will provide between $10,000 and $50,000 – or up to $75,000 for partnerships – to support food relief activities and food security initiatives that meet community needs in a local area.

These grants are available to neighbourhood houses, community and volunteer-led organisations, social enterprises and Aboriginal Community Controlled organisations.

Coordination Grants of between $100,000 and $300,000 will fund projects that include partnership and collaboration between regional and state-wide food relief providers to improve food relief supply and distribution across the state.

These grants are available to regional and state-wide food relief providers who supply centralised food rescue, warehousing and logistics, to a network of charity partners that provide food relief.

The Community Food Relief Program is being delivered in response to the rising demand for food relief due to increased cost-of-living pressures being experienced by many Victorians.

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.

Applications for Coordination Grants close on 27 August 2024.

For more information and how to apply, visit:

vic.gov.au/community-food-relief-program-coordination-grants.

Applications for Local Grants close on 10 September 2024.

For more information and how to apply, visit:

vic.gov.au/community-food-relief-program-local-grants.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Carers and Volunteers Ros Spence

“With the cost of living on the rise, many Victorians need support to put food on the table and that’s why we’re boosting support for food relief where it’s needed most.”

“We know how important these service providers are in providing food relief right across the state, and we’re making sure they can get on and do their important work.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Melton Steve McGhie

“We’re delivering funding for organisations that are on the ground in the community – making sure no Victorian, no matter where they live, goes hungry.”