Shepparton Foodshare starts work on new home

22/04/2024

A service providing food to those in need in the Shepparton area will soon have a new purpose-built home.

Shepparton Foodshare was established in 2012 largely due to community need. The organisation rescues and receives food donations for redistribution at no cost to people that need it most.

This project will create a permanent base for Shepparton Foodshare to operate its food rescue, warehousing, and distribution service. It will generate up to 18 jobs during construction.

When completed next year, the new warehouse in Mooroopna will feature loading facilities, an administration office, meeting rooms and storage space, kitchen and amenities, and car parking.

This will increase the organisation’s capacity and efficiency, and help ensure it meets the increasing demand for food relief in the region.

Shepparton Foodshare distributes around 350,000 kgs of food a year to registered emergency relief agencies, schools, neighbourhood houses, community meals programs, as well as First Nations and faith organisations.

People supported include individuals, children, homeless, First Nations people and the multicultural community, including new arrivals and refugees.

Shepparton Foodshare Chair Jeremy Rensford thanked the government for its support.

‘The demand for our services have never been higher, and this will enable us to reach out and support more people,’ he said.

The Mooroopna warehouse is supported by $2.9 million from the Victorian Government and $600,000 from the Commonwealth Government. The land for the development was donated by local philanthropists the Andreadis family.