Exciting new funded food security project: opportunity for greater collaboration across Corangamite

23 Jan Exciting new funded food security project: opportunity for greater collaboration across Corangamite

It is with great pleasure that we announce that Camperdown & District Community House has been successful in securing $85,000.00 to fund a food security project that will be implemented across Corangamite. This grant has been awarded through the Victorina Government Community Food Relief local grant program, read more here: https://www.vic.gov.au/community-food-relief-program-local-grants

A big part of this project will be strengthening existing and establishing new partnerships and networks within and across Corangamite. We will apply asset-based community development principles in order to secure more robust, sustainable, community led and efficient approaches to implement place-based responses and solutions to food insecurity issues impacting our communities. We will be looking to work with as many agencies and individuals who are already working in the food security space across the region. 

The key activities and outcomes of our project include:

Operation and further development/strengthening of Corangamite Food Bank service with provision of food relief hampers across region, inclusive of service operation, volunteer coordination, stakeholder and partnership management/development

Purchase of food and essential non-food items for distribution via Corangamite Food Bank service

Establishing new place-based distribution community partners across region with focus on under-serviced areas to increase localised access to food relief; increasing capacity, reach and access

Development of more dynamic and accessible service promotion in order to increase visibility and access to Corangamite Foodbank and other related services and supports

Further development, coordination and delivery of free food “community market days” via established Food Rescue Market program including replication of Food Rescue Markets in other areas across Corangamite

Coordination of fresh food community swap events across Corangamite

Building and sustaining robust food systems networks across Corangamite supporting local action

This project will also be supporting existing food pantries across Corangamite, such as those operated by Simpson Community Centre, Cobden Uniting Church Op Shop and the Camperdown Uniting Church community meal team.

If you would like more information or have ideas about how this project can support your community or if you would like to be involved, please get in touch. 

This is not just about food relief, this is about building our capacity to work together and create local solutions to issues impacting our community around food security.

We are really excited about this project and look forward to sharing more about it as things develop and take shape!