By Mikayla van Loon
A newly released State government grant program aiming to provide food relief has piqued the interest of a number of homelessness and other support services from across the Yarra Ranges who are considering the impact it could have for the community.
Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers Colin Brooks announced last week the $1.25 million pop-up food relief markets trial program in response to the rising cost of living.
“We are ensuring our communities can provide nourishing meals for their families – because no Victorian should worry about having enough to eat,” he said.
“With this assistance, food relief organisations across the state will be able to continue their important work getting food on the tables of those most in need in our community.”
Lilydale’s Mustard Tree Op Shop operations manager Lisa Vincent said having been in discussion with other service providers in the area, a cohort of organisations are thinking about applying for the grants.
“It’s doable and we’re pretty well set up here. All we would have to do is find the dates and we could utilise the car park in the evenings and get the volunteers to do it.
“But at the same time, it’s a matter of finding the time now to commit to that planning stage, to be able to get that off the ground.
“So I think the way the shire have marketed it is good because it’s a collaboration and they say, ‘why don’t you all get together and form a committee and we’ll do one for the region’, which I think could really work and someone will lead it and we’ll be able to get on board and support their idea.”
Organisations can apply for grants that will support them to provide food tailored to local cultural preferences across metropolitan Melbourne.
The program includes grants for small projects – up to $25,000 to run a minimum of four markets over a two-month period – and large projects – up to $85,000 for groups of organisations to run a minimum of 10 markets in partnership over six-months.
The grants can be used by organisations to cover operating costs and food supplies.
Applications opened on 20 July and will close on 17 August.
Email the Food Relief team Foodrelief.Team@dhhs.vic.gov.au for more information or visit https://www.vic.gov.au/pop-food-relief-market-grants
