The charity’s Bridget Bentley said the Grow Cook Share Food Hub project was a three-year project aiming to make locally grown food more accessible and affordable.
“We are working with local producers, young people, and our multicultural communities, to grow, cook, share and sell food and to showcase our amazing food culture,” Bridget said.
“We’re committed to meeting our community where they’re at, which means connecting with key places within our community, such as Golden Gums Farm, The Old Church Growers Market, Peppergreen Farm, and at schools and community houses.”
Through the project funding Bendigo Foodshare has employed two youth officers and has begun growing its own food at Golden Gums Farm in Strathfieldsaye.
“We’re already distributing our fresh produce in a number of ways,” Bridget said.
“It’s being sold at supermarket prices through the local Old Church Growers Market, given out through Bendigo Foodshare’s food relief network and it’s being served on the plates of customers in Bendigo restaurants and cafes who value local produce.”
She said support and engagement from the community was important to the project's success.
“We know we can’t do this alone and that our food hub must be owned and loved by our community.
“We are thrilled to be working in a community that strongly believes in a connected, sustainable and equitable local food system, demonstrating this with strong leadership and action.
“This is an incredible opportunity for us to further strengthen Greater Bendigo as a leader in food sustainability.”
Bendigo was selected as one of seven Future Healthy Food Hubs across regional Victoria as part of a partnership with VicHealth.
For more information, visit: www.bendigofoodshare.org.au/growcooksharefoodhub
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