The Liberal Government has taken action to ensure food security for vulnerable Tasmanians, with more than $1.1 million in funding for the food relief sector over three years.
We recognise the crucial role that emergency food relief providers play in collecting and redistributing donated food to thousands of Tasmanians from families, to the elderly, children, and the homeless.
That's why we will provide new ongoing funding of $300,000 per year over three years for Foodbank, Secondbite and Produce to the People.
The funding will flow immediately and includes $200,000 per year for Foodbank, $75,000 per year for Secondbite, and $25,000 per year for Produce to the People. These funds will be sourced from within existing resources, consistent with our commitment to budget discipline.
Foodbank and Secondbite have a significant state-wide reach, supporting 220 organisations and 150 community food programs respectively, while Produce to the People has a strong local network and capacity in the North-West.
The funding is in addition to our election commitment of $180,000 to boost mobile food services over three years, and $100,000 for start-up food cooperatives from next financial year.
The new funding follows the completion of an internal review into the funding for and provision of emergency food relief in Tasmania, which took an in-depth look at demand, social value and the cost and benefits of continued Government investment.
The review found providers offer a value for money service, effectively sourcing food at the state level and redistributing through a network of hundreds of volunteers to thousands of Tasmanians.