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 News Archive 

Foodbank Victoria and Melbourne Food & Wine Festival present: Food for Thought with Adam Liaw

Foodbank Victoria and The Melbourne Food and Wine Festival are proud to present MasterChef winner Adam Liaw in a one night only culinary event to be held at Foodbank Victoria's Yarraville warehouse. 'Food for Thought with Adam Liaw' invites you to uncover the issues of food insecurity across Victoria and witness the magic of Adam Liaw as he creates dishes from Foodbank Victoria's warehouse stock. The event will run Wednesday 14th March 2012 - $25 for adults and $15.00 concession. Tickets avaliable Friday 2nd December from http://www.trybooking.com/ZPL.

Leadership Victoria | Igniting Leadership: Focus On Food

Leadership Victoria conduct some of Austrailia's finest leadership development programs. They have teamed up with Foodbank Victoria to present a 5 day leadership program in March 2012. The program is designed to develop new leaders, enhance reputations, forge new networks within food industries and help instigate change. Click here for more infomation on the Leadership Victoria event. If you are interested in participating in the program, please download an Igniting Leadership: Focus on Food program schedule and application form.

Foodbank Victoria take its concern for food security to an international level.

Food security within our community is a main concern of Foodbank Victoria. With the recent humanitarian climate in the horn of Africa, we are reminded that food security is a global issue. It has been reported that currently in East Africa, there are over 11 million people (the equivalent of half of Australia's population) in dire need of food assistance as a result of widespread drought. The United Nations are very concerned that if we do not act now, this severe famine will become a catastrophe. 

In light of this desperate situation, Foodbank Victoria ask that you consider the relief efforts of the United Nations' World Food Program. By supporting this program, you are continuing the work of Foodbank Victoria by aiding the fight against hunger on a global scale.

For more information on the work of World Food Programme or if you wish to donate, please head to www.wfp.org.

VicRelief Foodbank has changed its name to Foodbank Victoria.

Foodbank Victoria affirms our position as Victoria’s principal organisation for sourcing and distributing donated food to community organisations. With over 80 years history and now helping over 500 charities and schools we distributed more than 3.1 million kgs of food and household products in 2010.

Foodbank Victoria will continue to expand its range of services to meet the changing demands of those facing crisis (flood, bushfire etc) and hardship.  Thank you for being a part of the VicRelief Foodbank family and we hope you continue with us as Foodbank Victoria.

"Each year, at some stage, 300,000 Victorians are unable to afford or access food. Many of them turn to welfare, religious, community and other organisations for support"

In the last week of April, VicRelief Foodbank, in collaboration with FareShare and SecondBite, released the ‘Community Food Programs in Victoria’ research report. The report is the result of a 110 Community Food Programs (CFPs) survey, which was conducted during the second half of last year. The survey looked at what food is being provided, what food is required and the infrastructure that is needed to keep up with the constantly growing demand for relief.

The research indicates that the supply of all donated staple items is not keeping up with the demand for these products. Milk, fruit & vegetables and meat have to be purchased by CFP’s to ensure adequate relief is provided. Although there is over 20,000kgs currently donated to these 110 CFP's, there is still a shortfall over 26,000kgs of food. If we were to apply this to the 550+ agencies and organisations accessing relief from VicRelief Foodbank, the shortfall would be even greater.

In addition, there is also a pressing need for greater access to food preparation, storage and transport facilities. It was found that 56% of the CFP’s interviewed do not have access to dedicated food transport vehicles and must rely on volunteer drivers using their own vehicles for food collection and distribution.

A copy of the report “Community Food Programs in Victoria – a report on the food needed and the infrastructure required” is available for download (PDF format) at the bottom of this page.

Want to help? Here's how you can.

VicRelief Foodbank has already provided more than 24,000 kilograms of food and material aid to aid relief efforts throughout flood ravaged Victoria.

We have also been out on the ground in the worst affected areas working to increase the quantity of food and the amount of deliveries available to flood affected areas. 

Deliveries have included mineral water, UHT milk, bread, margarine, fresh fruit, vegemite and cheese. Much of this food was airlifted into Victoria’s flood isolated communities.

Whilst most areas have now moved into the recovery phase, it is clear to us that there will be a number of farming communities that will continue to suffer long-after the flood water subsides. Much farming land is in ruins and this of course has an adverse flow on effect on local economies. 

At this stage, the extent and severity of the damage is still being assessed.  

VicRelief Foodbank have a dedicated Rural Community Support Team so will always continue to have an on the ground presence to not only help with emergency relief, but to provide food and material aid and to help coordinate local community groups, volunteers and welfare agencies so they are able to manage the influx of people who will need their support. 

In addition to Victoria’s flood crisis, we have also continued to provide emergency relief to flood victims in Queensland, which to date has totalled more than 65,000 kilograms of food and material aid.

If the public do wish to help, the best thing they can do is donate money, which will enable us to assist in immediate and ongoing support for people who have been adversely affected by the floods.

Top Market donor acknowledged at annual VicFresh Awards

VicRelief Foodbank recently presented an award at the Melbourne Market Authority’s annual VicFresh Awards.

The VicRelief Foodbank Donor of the Year 2010 award was presented to Coolibah Herbs for the abundance and consistent quality of their fresh produce donations. Their donated produce has included potatoes, herbs, lettuce and mixed salads.

Our sincerest gratitude goes to all the market traders who continue to donate to our organisation. Overall they provided 497,457 kilograms of fresh fruit and vegetables over this past year. Their donations are critical to VicRelief Foodbank as fresh produce is constantly in high demand as many people who are struggling simply cannot afford the cost.

STOP PRESS! VicRelief Foodbank experiences 33% surge in demand

November 2010 has seen VicRelief Foodbank distribute 33 per cent more food and aid than year’s previous. And since July 2010,
the amount of food and aid distributed has increased by 25 per cent. 

It is evident that welfare agencies, schools and community organisations are really struggling to meet the basic needs of those that need help; and unfortunately, there is a surge of people needing assistance. 

Anglicare have also seen a 30 per cent increase in the number of people needing help this year. This is a disturbing trend, fuelled by a rise in the ‘the working poor’, an alarming new demographic of people, who despite having paid jobs, still struggle with the cost of living. 

VicRelief Foodbank is already forced to ration key staple products such as rice and pasta; as we need to ensure as many people can have access to these sorts of products as possible. We will also be working hard to build a ready-supply of other key nutritious foods such as cereal and fruit and vegetables. With the continued support of the community, our valued donors and the Government, we hope to continue to provide food and aid for the estimated 400,000 Victorians who will experience food insecurity in 2011.