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Liberal Nationals Improving Food Security for Vulnerable People in Morwell

Elected Liberal Nationals Government to address the growing issue of food insecurity in the Latrobe Valley and Gippsland.

By Portal Admin - 16th December 2018 - Back to News

An elected Liberal Nationals Government will address the growing issue of food insecurity in the Latrobe Valley and Gippsland, providing the funds needed to establish a Foodbank Hub in Morwell.

Demand for emergency food relief is growing in the Gippsland region, with more pressure on individuals and families to pay the bills and put food on the table. About seven in every 100 people in the Latrobe Valley went hungry at some point in the past 12 months as they were unable to afford to buy food.

If elected, a Liberal Nationals Government will provide more than $1 million to establish a food distribution centre in Morwell.

It will help relieve pressure on local volunteer-run food charities, which often have limited capacity to store and deliver food.

Only 11 per cent of food distributed in Gippsland is fresh, significantly lower than the state average of 18 per cent. A local food distribution centre will help lift this figure, providing local charities with access to fresh, chilled and frozen products.

The commitment comes as Foodbank Victoria is looking for opportunities to establish a food distribution hub in Morwell.

Population growth is out of control and people in the Latrobe Valley and across our State are paying the price with higher costs of living, higher energy bills and housing becoming more unaffordable.

Foodbank provides critical support to vulnerable Victorians, with more than 8 million kilograms of food distributed in 2016-17 – the equivalent of putting more than 14 million meals on tables for people in need.

It’s the largest non-profit food distribution network in the state, partnering with 470 local charities to deliver healthy food to communities across Victoria. They also work with 500 primary schools across Victoria to deliver 50,000 healthy breakfasts each week for primary students who arrive at school with an empty stomach.

Only a Liberal Nationals Government will have a comprehensive plan to get back in control of the cost of living, so Victorians get back control over their household budget.

Comment attributable to Leader of The Nationals and Shadow Minister for Regional Victoria and Decentralisation Peter Walsh

Food distribution centres are a critical support for the most vulnerable Victorians which is why the Liberal Nationals will help establish one for communities in the Latrobe Valley and Gippsland.

The skyrocketing cost-of-living is forcing Victorians to choose between keeping the lights on and putting food on the table, which is why these services are so critical in our communities.

Comment attributable to The Nationals candidate for Morwell Sheridan Bond

We need to make sure people who need support in our community can get it.
I have heard from many people in the community who are feeling the pressures of a skyrocketing cost-of-living. A food distribution centre for the Latrobe Valley will make sure families and local residents who need this service can get assistance close to home.

Comment attributable to Liberal candidate for Morwell Dale Harriman

Having worked with and been on the board of local charities, I know a local food distribution centre will help to relieve pressure on local charities, providing a space to source, store, and distribute food more efficiently to people in need in the community.

This support will relieve the pressure of the skyrocketing cost-of-living.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: support@gippsland.com