THE State Government will invest $1M for Shepparton Foodshare’s forever home, on top of $200,000 announced last week.
Independent Member for Shepparton, Suzanna Sheed, welcomed the $1.2M commitment for the relocation of Shepparton Foodshare from its current location at the old Ardmona Cannery to a new premises adjacent to the Mooroopna Woolworths/Aldi carpark, which was generously donated to the Andreadis family.
Ms Sheed said, “I am delighted that the State Government has come to the rescue to fund this project after the failed promise of $600,000 made by the Federal Coalition Government earlier this year.”
“In January, Barnaby Joyce visited Shepparton and stood alongside previous Nationals Member for Nicholls Damian Drum and its then-Nationals candidate Sam Birrell and announced they awarded Shepparton Foodshare $600,000 in funding, but it was never delivered.
“The Federal Coalition did not sign off their Appropriation Bill 2 before calling an election, meaning that all funds for new administered expenses were not secured, including this $600,000 for Shepparton Foodshare.
Ms Sheed praised Shepparton Foodshare as the “beating heart of food supplies for those in need in our community,” which was reopened on Monday after being impacted by floodwater.
“Shepparton Foodshare provides food year-round to food relief agencies. We saw them come to the rescue supplying food to residents when we were in lockdown last year and again during the flood, even when their own premises was flooded,” said Ms Sheed.
“I am delighted that the Victorian Government picked up the Federal Coalition’s tab as well as its half and supported this important service.”
