Food access and security
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As a council, we play a role in local food systems by providing guidance for the community on how to build a sustainable, just, and vibrant food system that will last.
Our community does a range of work in relation to food. This includes growing food at home, community gardens, free food events, forums and networks, and more.
Food System Strategy
What is a food system?
The food system includes all the steps involved in keeping us fed, from growing, harvesting, processing, packing, distribution, marketing, consumption and disposal of food.
Research shows that establishing local food systems can significantly enhance the health and wellbeing of communities, improve the availability of and access to nutritious food, strengthen the local economy, and revitalise urban and natural environments
Merri-bek Food System Strategy
The Merri-bek Food System Strategy 2024-2027 (PDF 1.7MB) is aimed creating a resilient local food system within our community that promotes a healthy environment, supports equal access to nutritious food, and celebrates connection and diversity.
Food security and food access
Food security is when all people have access to healthy, affordable, culturally appropriate and safe food. Merri-bek has been shown to have high levels of food insecurity. Food insecurity happens when households run out of food and are not able to buy more.
Addressing food security
One of the actions of our Food Systems Strategy is to work with groups, agencies and residents to address the causes of people lacking food security in Merri-bek.
Merri-bek's northern suburbs are some of the least food secure communities in Merri-bek. As such, we have co-developed a pilot program to address food security in the north. You can read more about the Community Food Hub project on the Conversations Merri-bek website.
Food relief and material relief services
These brochures contain information about food and material relief services in Merri-bek and neighbouring suburbs
- Merri-bek food and material aid relief services (PDF 87KB)
- Merri-bek Community meals (PDF 63KB)
- Merri-bek free and low cost food boxes (PDF 76KB)
- Merri-bek Community cupboards and pantries (PDF 54 KB)
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Pantry storage foods (tinned and packet dry goods) are available by contacting:
- The Salvation Army - for all services in Merri-bek, including the asylum seeker and refugee centre call 8873 5288
- Our Daily Bread, Greek Orthodox Church, 23-29 Victoria Street, Coburg. Call 0425 853 502 or email ourdailybreadcoburg@gmail.com
- Muslim Women's Council of Victoria halal food relief boxes. Call 0483 881 899 or email info@mwcv.org
- NorthPoint Centre Community Hub at Newlands Senior Citizen Centre, 49-53 Murray Road, Coburg North. Open 11.30am to 1pm. Drop in or call 9338 1898
- Community Information and Support Merri-bek. Call 9350 3737
- Reynard Street Neighbourhood House Community Pantry. Email admin@rsnh.org.au or call 9386 7128
- Albert Street Community Cupboard at Seeds Communal Garden, 331 Albert Street, Brunswick, 3056. Call 9387 9985 or email seeds@milparinka.org.au
- Fawkner Community Pantry, 12 James Street, Fawkner. Open 7 days. Email fcpantry@gmail.com for more information
- St Vincent de Paul Society. Monday to Friday 10am – 3pm. Call 1800 305 330
- Pantry items and fresh produce at Glenroy Neighbourhood House, 5B Cromwell Street Glenroy. Drop in on Tuesdays between 10am – 12pm. Call 9304 3910
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Cooked meals for collection are available by contacting:
- Brunswick Salvos for food parcels and takeaway hot meals. Call 9388 5500
- Moreland Manna for takeaway, warm meals, coffee, tea, bread and light morning tea. Call Margaret Bright on 0416 378 748
- Free take away meals for collection on Wednesdays at Reynard Street Neighbourhood House, 104A Reynard St, Coburg, 3058. Email admin@rsnh.org.au or call 9386 7128
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- Merri-bek Council's Delivered Meals program is available by referral through My Aged Care. Call 1800 200 422
It is available for:
- People over the age of 65
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over the age of 50
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over the age of - 45 who are on low income, are homeless or at risk of homelessness
- People on low income and people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness over the age of 50
- Our Daily Bread, 23 - 29 Victoria Street, Coburg. Call 0425 853 502 or email ourdailybreadcoburg@gmail.com
- Merri-bek Council's Delivered Meals program is available by referral through My Aged Care. Call 1800 200 422
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Emergency relief and food vouchers are available through:
- Community Information and Support Merri-bek. Call 9350 3737
- The Salvation Army for food vouchers, bill payments and pharmacy payments. 9am - 4pm. Call 8873 5288
- St Vincent de Paul, Monday to Friday, 10am - 3pm. Call 1800 305 330
- The Salvation Army Asylum Seeker and Refugee Service. Call 9384 8333
- Brunswick Salvos. Call 9388 5500
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Fruit and vegetables at a reduced cost are available through:
- Merri Food Hub, Fawkner Senior Citizens Centre, 77 Jukes Road every Friday 10am - 4pm go to the Open Food Network website
- CERES Joe’s Market Garden (low cost vegetable box pick up) - go to the Open Food Network website.
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- Free breakfast from 9am Monday, Wednesday and Friday at Brunswick Salvation Army, 256 Albert Street, Brunswick, 3056
- Cooked meal at Glenroy Neighbourhood House, 5B Cromwell Street, Glenroy. 10am to 12pm. Call 9304 3910
- Free lunch at 12pm every Tuesday at The Olive Way, Uniting Church 212 Sydney Rd, Brunswick (corner of Merri Street). Call 0431 193 810
- Free sandwiches at The Olive Way 10:30pm every Wednesday. Uniting Church, 212 Sydney Rd, Brunswick (corner of Merri Street). Call 0431 193 810
- Free community lunch at Brunswick Neighbourhood House, 43a De Carle Street, Brunswick, on the second Thursday of the month at 12pm. Call 9386 9418
- Free community dinner at Coburg Salvation Army recovery church, 15 Headley Street, Coburg at 6pm.
- Free community lunch at 12.30pm on Fridays at Reynard Street Neighbourhood House, 104A Reynard St, Coburg, 3058. Email admin@rsnh.org.au or call 9386 7128
- Free dinner every Thursday 5:30pm – 6:30pm at Hope Cafe, St Mark's Church, 9 Lee Street, Fawkner. Phone 9359 3111 or email fawkner@cam.org.au
- Free dinner Thursdays 4pm – 8pm at Our Daily Bread, 23 - 29 Victoria Street, Coburg. Call 0425 853 502 or email ourdailybreadcoburg@gmail.com
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- Merri Food Hub
Glenroy Community Hub, 50 Wheatsheaf Road, Glenroy
Wednesdays, 10am to 1pm
Fawkner Senior Citizens Centre, 77 Jukes Road, Fawkner
Fridays 10am - 4pm
Email: info@merrifoodhub.org
Call: 0491 627 208
To order online go to the Open Food Network website - CERES Joe’s Market Garden (low cost vegetable box pick up). Go to the Open Food Network website.
- Pop up markets on Wednesdays at Reynard Street Neighbourhood House, 104A Reynard St, Coburg, 3058. Email admin@rsnh.org.au or call 9386 7128
- Merri Food Hub