55 community organisations across Tasmania will share nearly $490,000 through the latest round of the Tasmanian Community Food Relief Grants Program.
The funding marks a boost from last year’s program, which supported 35 organisations, according to Community Services Minister Roger Jaensch.
“This grant program enables these organisations to do more of what they do best,” he said. “Listening to their communities to provide tailored local solutions.”
Many groups will receive the maximum grant of $10,000, including Deloraine House, which will roll out meal kits complete with ingredients and recipe cards across the Meander Valley.
GroWaverley plans to deliver an extra 420 food hampers to families in Waverley and Ravenswood, while the Tasmania University Union will set up food hubs at its Launceston, Hobart and Burnie campuses.
Smaller grants include $7,732 for Oatlands Community Association’s self-serve community pantry and $2,000 for Dover and South Action Group to stock emergency food supplies for far southern communities.
East Devonport Neighbourhood House received $9,600 to provide more than 2,200 extra meals to locals.
The grants form part of the state’s broader food relief strategy in the 2024–25 Budget, which includes around $7 million for emergency food support.
This includes a $5 million capital upgrade fund for food relief organisations and $1 million to continue existing services.
The Government is also providing extra support for food vans in Launceston, Devonport and Hobart and is developing a long-term plan to shift from emergency food relief to lasting food resilience.
