Food access and security

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 9Mb) 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

 

  • Pantry storage foods (tinned and packet dry goods) are available by contacting:

     

  • Cooked meals for collection are available by contacting:

    • 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

  • 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

  • Tuesdays

    • Free hot lunch at 12.00pm, The Olive Way, 212 Sydney Road (corner of Merri Street) Brunswick 
    • Free hot cooked breakfast, The Salvation Army, 828 Sydney Road, Coburg (enter via Headley Street)
    • Lunch 12.00pm to 1.00pm (school terms only), Glenroy Neighbourhood House, 5B Cromwell Street, Glenroy. 

    Wednesdays

    • Free open sandwich bar from 10.30am to 1.30pm, The Olive Way, 212 Sydney Road (corner of Merri Street) Brunswick
    • Free breakfast 9.30am, Catalyst Social Centre, 5 Munro Street, Coburg
    • $5 lunches, 12.30pm, Reynard Street Neighbourhood House, 104A Reynard Street, Coburg

    Thursdays

    • Free vegetarian lunch, 12.00pm, Second and Fourth Thursdays of the month, except for December (10 December only), Brunswick Neighbourhood House, 43A De Carle Street, Brunswick T 93869418
    • Free soup kitchen, groceries, fruit and veg, 11.00am to 1.00pm, Our Lady Help of Christian Catholic Church, 49 Nicholson Street, Brunswick East (Laneway on Corner of Nicholson St)
    • Tea and coffee, 9.00am to 11.00am, The Olive Way, 212 Sydney Road (corner of Merri Street) Brunswick
    • Free hot meal, 5.30pm to 6.30pm, Hope Cafe, St Mark's Church, 9 Lee Street, Fawkner T 9359 3111
    • Free hot meal, Our Daily Bread, 23-29 Victoria Street, Coburg T 0425853502

    Friday

    • Free hot breakfast, 9.00am to 10.am, The Salvation Army, 828 Sydney Rd, Coburg (enter via Headley Street).