A new grant program is available for food relief providers in Victoria to help those experiencing food insecurity.
The $4.5 million Community Food Relief Program is run by the state government and supports local, regional, and statewide organisations.
There are two streams of the grant.
Local Grants will provide between $10,000 and $50,000 – or up to $75,000 for partnerships – to support initiatives run by neighbourhood houses, community and volunteer-led organisations, social enterprises and Aboriginal Community Controlled organisations.
Applications for this funding closes on September 10.
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 who supply centralised food rescue, warehousing, and logistics to a network of charity partners that provide food relief.
Organisations must apply for the grant by August 27.
Carers and Volunteers Minister Ros Spence said boosting support where it’s needed most would help support Victorians put food on the table.
“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 continue their important work,” she said.
The program aims to help combat the rising demand for food relief due to increased cost-of-living pressures being experienced by many Victorians.
Since 2020, the state government has invested more than $56 million to strengthen the food relief system in Victoria including support for six regional hubs.
Information on Local Grants: vic.gov.au/community-food-relief-program-local-grants
Information on Coordination Grants: vic.gov.au/community-food-relief-program-coordination-grants.
