QUESTIONS have arisen on the best way to tackle food insecurity in Ballarat after a $10 million Labor election pledge for two new Foodbank hubs in Ballarat and the La Trobe Valley.
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The Ballarat Foundation chief executive officer Matt Jenkins maintained greater detail was needed to best determine how this promise would benefit the region.
Labor’s promise centres on national food relief organisation Foodbank, which announced in April it would partner with The Foundation for a food distribution hub.
The Foundation has long advocated for a community-focused food centre with an extended focus on prevention solutions such as education, community gardens and commercial kitchens, beyond the food hub.
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Labor’s move comes after the Liberal-Nationals pledged $1.5 million directly to the Foundation’s plans earlier this month.
Mr Jenkins said it was important to further discuss exact details with Labor, should it be re-elected, to determine how and where the extra funding would be spent.
“We’d like to work with Labor if they’re elected to be able to ensure the needs of this community are certainly well protected and understood,” Mr Jenkins said.
We’ve put a lot of work in the past into understanding what’s relevant for Ballarat. Understanding more around what this funding will look like will hopefully fill those gaps.
Regional Development Minister Jaala Pulford said further community consultation would be made to confirm a hub location and operations with the food relief charity Foodbank.
“The funding will be made available to Foodbank and as part of that we will require them to work very closely with them as to how that service is delivered to local organisations that are providing such great leadership on this,” Minister Pulford said.
Under the Liberal-Nationals, funding will support the Ballarat Foundation to purchase land at the Ballarat West Employment Zone and construct a 100 square metre warehouse to host the Ballarat Food Security Centre.
A further $2.5 million would be required to have the centre ready for operation by the end of next year. This would be developed by The Ballarat Foundation and community contributions in the Feed Ballarat Appeal.
Western Victoria Liberal MP Joshua Morris said it was vital, regardless of the election outcome, to keep a community solutions focus.
“It would be most concerning if the Labor Party decision cut The Ballarat Foundation out of its announcement,” Mr Morris said. “The Ballarat Foundation plans for a food distribution centre have many additional benefits and it would be a loss to the community it these did not come to fruition.”
One in eight Ballarat people access emergency food relief each year, pressuring frontline food charities.
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