Constituency Question – Foodshare Shepparton

My question is for the Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers, and the question that I ask is: will the minister offer support funding to Shepparton Foodshare for the purchase of a building so it can continue looking after our regional community? I recently met with representatives from Shepparton Foodshare, who have been operating from the old Ardmona factory site in Mooroopna rent free due to the generosity of SPC Ardmona and later Geoffrey Thompson. They have secured land for their new premises, and while they were unsuccessful in a recent funding round we noted that both Bendigo and Wodonga received over $1 million each. Our Goulburn Valley producers and businesspeople are very generous to Foodshare in Shepparton, and they stood by the community in an outstanding manner during the lockdowns in Shepparton that recently occurred. It is an outstanding organisation in need of government support.

Answer:

Answered: 11 February, 2022

On 5 September 2021, the Premier announced a $6 million Food Relief Financial Reserve to maintain capacity in the food relief system.

Along with all regional foodshares and key food relief providers, Shepparton Foodshare was provided with information on the process for seeking funds from the Reserve.

Across June to September 2021, $4.5 million in funding was allocated to expand support for food relief activities in Victoria and ensure no one is left behind during the pandemic.

Through this package, the Victorian Government provided a $50,000 grant to Shepparton Foodshare to meet high demand for community food relief during the outbreak. This follows $60,000, provided in June 2021, to boost their capacity.

These investments build on $11.3 million, announced in September 2020, to boost food relief activities. These initiatives are part of over $48 million in additional funding that the government has committed, since February 2020, to expand food relief operations across Victoria.

 

Hon Anthony Carbines MP

Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers

Minister for Child Protection and Family Services