A food project between Winmalee Neighbourhood Centre, Winmalee Coles and the charity SecondBite is going great guns.
In August, the project was named third in the state for food collection, distributing a whopping 1629kg of food throughout the Mountains that month, narrowly behind larger players REAP in Port Macquarie with Coles, and Salvation Army Liverpool with Casula Coles.
More than 90 residents have signed up to the Winmalee Community Food Cupboard project, where they can purchase subsidised food from the Winmalee Neighbourhood Centre on a fortnightly basis.
But on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, there is fresh bread, fruit and vegetables available at no cost.
The food is collected from Coles Winmalee by volunteer Paul Colbran and delivered in the neighbourhood centre's new Toyota Hi-Ace van to some preschools and other support services throughout the Mountains such as Blue Mountains Family Support and Gateway. It is facilitated by just four people at the centre, and more than 350 people per month benefit. An industrial fridge and freezer has now been installed in the van, thanks to Springwood Uniting Church, Mountains Auto, Springwood Rotary and the Myer Foundation, so more cold items can now be transported.
Coles Winmalee store manger Robert Bowker said when neighbourhood centre manager Morna Colbran had asked if Coles would like to join this project, he was only too happy to help.
"It's our community and we are part of the community and it's nice to give back and help out in a good way and not have it go to landfill," Mr Bowker said.
Mr Bowker has retrained staff around what is actually still suitable for human consumption and therefore okay to be included in the food project.
"And customers like to hear it's going to a good cause. People here are more concerned about wastage," he said.
Ms Colbran said there were many vulnerable individuals and families who face financial stress on an ongoing basis.
"We work closely with the community and understand that sometimes all that is required is a 'hand up'. This project complements our existing emergency relief programs which provides a one stop service for many people. Implementing a project that is based on dignity and reciprocity is demonstrating that food security can be a possibility."
She hopes the success of the Food Cupboard will encourage other communities and organisations to consider taking on similar projects.
