After a challenging year, Baw Baw Food Relief is celebrating a $43,000 grant to help purchase a refrigerated van for its new Outreach Program on Wheels.

Coordinator Jan Davidson said the group was overjoyed by the part-funding of a refrigerated van which will enable an outreach program in Yarragon and Trafalgar for the first time. The van will ensure safe transport of food on a day-to-day basis.

“Going forward, there are so many things we can use that van for,” Ms Davidson said.

She said Baw Baw Food Relief ran a successful outreach program at a caravan park in Drouin last year.

After identifying a need for food relief in Yarragon and Trafalgar and receiving the $43,000 grant, Ms Davidson is hopeful the program can begin in March.

The refrigerated van also will play a role when Food Relief Victoria establishes a hub in Morwell.

“By having a van, we can go there and pick up food safely,” she said.

It is also hoped the van will help reduce food waste going into landfill. 

The $43,000 grant for Baw Baw Food Relief was one of 93 recently announced by the state government.

Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers Luke Donnellan said the $5 million Community Food Relief Fund grants would provide a massive two million meals and 180,000 food hampers to vulnerable Victorians.

“Every Victorian deserves access to fresh and healthy food – which is why we’re boosting resources for community-based food relief services and ensuring all families can stay happy and healthy,” Mr Donnellan said.

“2020 was a year like no other and many Victorians are still recovering from the impacts of the pandemic – our new regional hubs will help ensure better food relief coordination across the state so everyone has what they need.”