No one should go hungry, which is why the Allan Labor Government is delivering more support for food relief in the Mallee region.

Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes announced local organisations that will share in $9 million through the Community Food Relief Program, doubling the program’s funding this year to deliver fresh and nutritious food right across Victoria.

Across Victoria, the program boosts supplies for large-scale food relief organisations and supports volunteers on the frontline. Seven Coordination Grants will help major providers expand services, while 126 Local Grants will strengthen grassroots support.

SecondBite will receive close to $300,000 to purchase a 14-pallet refrigerated truck to rescue and redistribute nutritious food, and to build strong partnerships with growers, manufacturers and regional hubs in Mallee.

Bendigo Foodshare will receive $250,000 to purchase a refrigerated vehicle and build capacity of a new food relief service in Swan Hill. This will create a more effective supply chain that expands capacity and increases efficiencies to maximise food relief in Swan Hill.

The Victorian Budget 2025/26 delivers $18 million to expand food relief right across Victoria – bringing our total investment in food security to more than $74 million.

A full list of Local Grants recipients is available at vic.gov.au/community-food-relief-program-local-grants.

A full list of Coordination Grant recipients is available at vic.gov.au/community-food-relief-program-coordination-grants.

Quote attributable to Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes

“We know the cost of living is hitting families hard – these grants will help organisations big and small deliver fresh, nutritious food to families and support the volunteers who make it happen every day.”