Loaves and Fishes welcomes Liberals’ long term commitment to food security

Media Release

March 14, 2024

Loaves and Fishes Tasmania has welcomed the Liberals’ $51.8 million extra commitment to the community sector, including increased grants for emergency food relief and capital works.

Loaves and Fishes has been promised an extra $1 million for emergency food relief, and $2.5 million to allow the charity to increase storage and cold room capacity at its Devonport warehouse.

The Liberals have also committed to invest $200,000 into the food coalition charged with moving communities from relief to long term food resilience.

A re-elected Liberal Government has promised to increase funding to mobile food vans serving the vulnerable, index future community sector payments at a rate of 12.5 percent over four years, and sign five-year contracts with community sector partners.

Loaves and Fishes CEO Andrew Hillier said he was delighted with the strong commitment to the sector in response to unprecedented need throughout the State.

“The Liberal Party has listened and responded to our long and loud advocacy on behalf of vulnerable Tasmanians who are requiring unprecedented help with food,” he said.

“Without extra Government help, Loaves and Fishes is unable to meet the vital and immediate needs of Tasmanians in crisis.

“However, we also recognise, along with the Government, that we have to move away from just giving out free food, to helping communities become more resilient through accessing discounted, healthy seasonal food from local suppliers.”

Media enquiries to Loaves and Fishes CEO, Andrew Hillier: 0418 594 054.