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                    Community Food Relief 2021 – 2025

                    Three people sitting at a table in a busy cafe.
                    Many people within the City of Melbourne face daily challenges in accessing nutritious, affordable, safe and culturally appropriate food to support their health and wellbeing.

                    ​Community Food Relief 2021 – 2025: Planning for a food secure city

                    In recent years, food insecurity within the City of Melbourne has been recognised as a growing health, social and economic issue largely driven by poverty. In 2021, one in three residents in the municipality experienced food insecurity. While food insecurity is not new, the COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the inequity of food access across our municipality. Since 2019, food insecurity has increased 7.5 per cent and demand for food relief has increased 47 per cent. 

                    Council has identified food security as a key health and wellbeing focus area within our Council Plan 2021-2025 with a major initiative to: 

                    • Develop and deliver initiatives and programs that will provide food relief to vulnerable members of our community and improve local food production by supporting communities to grow their own food. 

                    In December 2021, councillors endorsed Community Food Relief 2021 - 2025: Planning for a food secure city. This plan outlines Council’s role and commitment to improving access to food relief services and includes the following initiatives:

                    • Partnering with food relief and other charities to provide groceries and meals to vulnerable residents. 
                    • Investigating community food enterprise models, including opportunities to work with Queen Victoria Market traders to redirect surplus food that would otherwise go to waste.
                    • Advocating to State and Federal Governments to raise income support above the poverty line and increase investment in social housing. 

                    Our strategic priority is to move beyond food relief to increased food security for everyone, especially the most vulnerable.

                    ​Support 

                    Emergency food relief packs

                    If you are experiencing hardship directly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be eligible for support from the Victorian Government.

                    Call the Victorian Government 24-hour COVID-19 hotline on 1800 675 398.

                    Lifeline

                    24-hour Australia wide telephone counselling service.

                    Phone: 13 11 14 or visit Lifeline Australia.

                    Ask Izzy

                    Ask Izzy connects people in need with housing, a meal, money help, health and wellbeing services, family violence support, counselling and much more.

                    Useful links

                    Community Food Guide - City of Melbourne

                    A resource for community agencies or anyone in the community who needs information about how to access affordable, fresh and healthy food.

                    Food Policy

                    The Food Policy provides an overarching vision and framework that will guide coordinated action and decision-making to improve our food system.  

                    Council Plan 2021-2025

                    Municipal Health and Wellbeing Plan 2021-2025

                    Health and Wellbeing Profile 2020 

                    Victorian Government Food Relief Taskforce 

                    Victorian Government Health and Wellbeing Plan 2019-2023

                    Contact us

                    Contact name
                    Health Projects Team
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