New food relief warehouse boosts capacity to meet growing demand

  • Bendigo Foodshare helps feed around 13,000 people weekly across central Victoria.
  • The demand for food relief has increased significantly, with around a 60% increase in need over the past 3 years.
  • The new facility has tripled our storage capacity from 320sq. metres to 1000 sq. metres.
  • In practical terms this will mean we can store 42 pallets of frozen food and 42 pallets of cool room food at any one time (compared with 14 pallets each previously).
  • It has also significantly increased our capacity to store non-perishable food, from 50 pallets to 132 pallet capacity.

Bendigo Foodshare’s long-awaited new warehouse in Golden Square was officially opened at a ceremony today, joined by around 300 people who helped mark the occasion.

The new $3.8 million food relief facility is now fully operational, helping to increase efficiency and meet the demand to feed 13,000 people across central Victoria each week.

Bendigo Foodshare Board Chair Sue Clarke reflected on the years of hard work and dedication to see the new warehouse become a reality.

“This is what our community can achieve when we come together – their generosity is simply outstanding,” she said.

“Our journey to get here started back in 2015 when we began working closely with the City of Greater Bendigo to identify a suitable location to build a fit-for purpose facility, so to be standing here today is a dream come true.

“We are very much aware that we are here today because of the generous financial support of our community, that’s individuals, businesses, philanthropists, and all levels of government who have supported our vision.

“There are quite truly thousands of people who have contributed to making this possible.

“In particular, we want to thank Y2 Architecture and our builder, Fairbrother Construction who have been with us every step of the way, as well as the local trades and services for helping us to complete the build ahead of schedule and within budget.
“I also want to thank our 300 plus volunteers, Board and staff – thank you all.”

Ms Clarke added that the new warehouse is just the first stage of a Community Food Hub planned for the remainder of the 2-hectare site.

“We envision this space as a place where the community can come together, connect with others and immerse themselves in the joys of growing, sharing and appreciating local food. Positioning the warehouse within the Food Hub supports our aspirations of food with dignity for all.”

For more information visit bendigofoodshare.org.au/foodhub.