So, thank-you Scott Morrison for quickly reversing the decision to reduce funding to this respected national food relief charity. Cutting funding to Food Bank was a ‘dumb’ decision given the growing need for food relief, and the phenomenal work of the charity. Reversing the decision so quickly is a smart move. Charities like Food Bank need security of funding to put essential food items into the cupboards of thousands of families nationwide.

Statistics indicate bare cupboards and empty plates are the reality for many Ballarat and Grampians families. It’s called food insecurity and it can happen through an unexpected change in health, employment or family situation.  More than commitment of operational funds to national charities is needed to combat food insecurity.

In 2018 it is estimated one in twelve Ballarat families will seek assistance for basic food. Over the past two months Ballarat Foundation and local charities have collaborated with Food Bank Victoria to bring ‘Farms to Families’ pop-up style farmers markets to Ballarat. Free fresh fruit and vegetables has been made available to families and individuals. Volunteering at the markets has been heart-warming and humbling.

More food rescue and donated product is available, but in Ballarat unlike many other regional centres, we don’t have facilities to receive, store and distribute donated food product.  

My work with Ballarat Foundation and experience with Foodbank Victoria has opened my eyes to this deep and entrenched social issue. It’s untenable in a city that has been built on wealth we have children going to school without breakfast or a packed lunch; and families that skip meals because the budget doesn’t stretch far enough.

The Morrison commitment provides operational funding for national food relief charities. In Ballarat we need to open our hearts and seek support from all levels of government to build the infrastructure needed for a permanent solution. A Food Security Centre with warehousing and distribution facilities for food rescue and donated product will help Ballarat and Grampians charities provide food relief all year round.

Community and government infrastructure funding is vital to alleviating food insecurity in our region.

In the Victorian election race a Liberal Party commitment of $1.5m to the project has been made. Ballarat Foundation is asking all parties to commit to funding a Food Security Centre. Let’s get smart about solutions to the problem of food insecurity in Ballarat and Grampians.

Matt Jenkins, CEO Ballarat Foundation