Community
8 August, 2025
Support allocated as food insecurity grows
AS the cost of living and the ongoing drought impacting Corangamite Shire families, Camperdown and District Community House and Corangamite Shire Council are helping put food on the table.
Community House coordinator Emily Mercer administers the Corangamite Food Bank, which supports residents across the whole shire when cashflow problems mean they can’t buy food or other essentials like nappies, pet food and personal hygiene products.
“Corangamite Foodbank is designed to protect the privacy and dignity of everyone who accesses the service,” she said.
“No personal information is collected or stored, and there are ways to access the service without being publicly visible.
“Our distribution across Corangamite has increased consistently since 2019.
“In 2024 we packed and distributed 961 food hampers across Corangamite, the equivalent of 28 tonne and $144,150 worth of food.
“This was an increase of 32 per cent from 2023 and 364 per cent from 2019.”
Council has contributed $5000 to Corangamite Food Bank, which relies on non-recurrent grants, fundraising and community donations.
Mayor councillor Kate Makin said council was proud to support such a valuable community-led initiative.
“Corangamite Food Bank is one of several projects council supported in the 2025-2026 budget to enhance community wellbeing,” she said.
“Full credit to Ms Mercer for driving Corangamite Food Bank and all those businesses, schools, community groups and individuals who contribute.
“In a strong, connected community like ours, people are happy to support one another in challenging times.
“In the past, after more obvious emergencies like floods and bushfires, we have had people say ‘someone else needs it more than me.’
“Don’t be afraid to reach out if it’s you who needs support this time. You can do the same for someone else when your circumstances change.”
Ms Mercer said 80 per cent of produce comes from independent, not-for-profit organisation Foodbank Victoria and the rest from Western District Food Share, local Ritchies IGA supermarkets and other donations.
“We have been supported by South West Community Foundation, Wannon Water, Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal, Gardiner Foundation, Street Smart and more,” she said.
“In recent years we have received sizable donations from local community groups and service clubs including Lions Club of Camperdown, and Corangamite U3A.
“Mercy Regional College and Timboon P-12 have completed school wide food collection drives and donated a significant amount of food and essential non-food products.
“Our Food Rescue Market program and community produce pop-up events are proving to be a fantastic initiative that connects community across all walks of life to reduce food waste in our local community and share resources.”
Ms Mercer said she hoped to replicate these programs in six other focus areas across the shire next year
“The Food Rescue Market in Camperdown is a partnership with Camperdown Uniting Church and is currently supported by Ritchies IGA supermarket in Camperdown, along with Camperdown Woolworths and Western District Food Share,” she said.
“We try to keep things neutral – not too spicy – and staples so people can make a couple of meals from the same items.”
Donations of non-perishable/pantry/shelf-stable food items can be made to Camperdown and District Community House between 9am and 4.30pm Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and 9am-1pm Fridays.
Most needed items include cereal, pasta, canned vegetables, beans or spaghetti, meal bases or sauces, muesli bars and lunch box snacks.
“If people donate goods that are coming towards the end of their life, they’re reducing landfill waste and doing us a favour,” Ms Mercer said.
“It’s a really beautiful community thing.”
Fresh locally grown produce is available at the Swap and Share community stall in the community garden hub in Camperdown’s Apex Park, next to the Gunner Street Community House.
“We can provide access to the fresh produce and frozen meals available from Western District Food Share for our distribution partners on an as-needs basis,” Ms Mercer said.
“If this is something that you would benefit from, discuss this with the Distribution Partner you are collecting your food hamper from, and they can arrange a special order through us.”
For more information about how you can access and/or support Corangamite Food Bank, go to camperdownch.com.au/services/foodbank.
Distribution partners include Camperdown Community Health, Corangamite Shire Council’s Service Navigation and Maternal and Child Health teams, Camperdown Vinnies, Camperdown Mental Health, Cooinda Disability Services and Derrinallum Op Shop.
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