Community Food Relief

Information for community organisations providing food relief services in Victoria.

The Victorian Government is committed to supporting Victorians who are facing food insecurity to access healthy and culturally appropriate food.

Victorian healthy food relief guidelines

Everyone living in Victoria has the right to nutritious food to thrive. The Victorian healthy food relief guidelines aim to help food relief providers to offer a variety of nutritious and culturally appropriate foods to support the health and wellbeing of those needing food relief.

These guidelines aim to:

  • strengthen efforts to provide food relief to meet the needs of communities
  • promote providing food relief in dignified and respectful ways
  • help to ensure a variety of nutritious, minimally processed and culturally appropriate food options are available.

Download the Victorian healthy food relief guidelines

Download the Victorian healthy food relief guidelines poster

Food relief distribution services

If your organisation delivers a food relief program, you may be eligible to receive regular food donations from a state-wide or regional distribution service. These services each have their own eligibility and review criteria and may operate a wait list based on available supply and demand. Food supplies are variable depending on the donations they receive.

Community organisations are also encouraged to foster relationships with local food businesses to explore donation options and develop partnerships with other nearby organisations to coordinate efforts at the local level.

State-wide food relief providers

Regional foodshares

Food relief assistance

If you, or someone you know needs immediate food relief assistance, we encourage you to use https://askizzy.org.au to connect with organisations for local services or support.
 

  • Food Relief Grants and Funding

    2024-25 Community Food Relief Program

    The $4.5 million Community Food Relief Program has two grant streams.

    The Coordination grants support state-wide and regional providers to deliver partnership projects that strengthen supply and distribution approaches across Victoria. 

    Find out more about the funded projects at Community Food Relief Program – Coordination Grants.

    The Local grants support food relief and security projects across the state delivered by community organisations such as neighbourhood houses.

    111 organisations will receive Local grants up to $50,000 (or $75,000 for partnership projects) to deliver vital food relief, tailored to the needs of their communities.

    Find out more about the funded projects at Community Food Relief Program – Local Grants.