- Published:
- Wednesday 1 July 2026 at 11:30 am
Right now, Victorian families are doing it tough.
The cost of groceries, fuel and bills are all adding up and families are facing tough decisions.
That’s why the Allan Labor Government is securing the future of critical food relief infrastructure in Victoria.
A $5 million investment will support food rescue organisation SecondBite to expand its Derrimut warehouse.
The investment means SecondBite can triple its food relief volume and double its support to regional Victoria and Melbourne’s north.
This is the equivalent of around 100 million more meals over the next decade or an extra 316,000 households.
It will also reduce carbon dioxide emissions by eliminating transport between its two existing warehouses.
It follows an $11.2 million investment in the Victorian Budget 2026/27 to strengthen the state’s grassroots and large-scale food providers.
This includes $2.7 million in immediate support for food relief charities facing rising fuel costs.
Labor is also supporting neighbourhood houses, multicultural, faith-based and volunteer-led groups with food security grants.
The third round of the $8.5 million Community Food Security Program is now open and closes on 9 July.
Organisations can apply for grants of up to $100,000 to provide vital food relief in their communities.
The funding will support volunteers and can cover food parcels, groceries, community meals or fuel vouchers.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Carers and Volunteers Luba Grigorovitch
“No Victorian should go hungry, that’s why we’re backing SecondBite so more families can get the support they need.”
“We’re securing Victoria’s long term food security so more surplus food can be rescued and delivered to Victorians doing it tough.”
Quote attributable to Member for Laverton Sarah Connolly
“We know just how tough so many Victorians are doing it right now - which makes this expansion of SecondBite’s Derrimut warehouse a game changer.”