A charity kitchen in Abbotsford has quietly passed a major milestone—preparing over one million meals for Victorians doing it tough—thanks to a major upgrade funded by the state government and the everyday efforts of hundreds of volunteers.
FareShare’s expanded facility, now the largest charity kitchen in the country, reopened a year ago following a $2.2 million grant from the Allan Labor Government. Since then, it has transformed into a daily engine of relief, producing up to 5,000 meals a day for more than 400 charities across the state.
Minister for Carers and Volunteers Ros Spence visited the site this week, praising the efforts of the more than 600 volunteers who, alongside chefs and staff, keep the kitchen humming—chopping, peeling, and packing meals for people experiencing hardship.
“FareShare is helping Victorian families get through tough times—whether they’re escaping family violence, sleeping rough, caring for loved ones or simply trying to make ends meet,” said Minister Spence. “This kitchen runs on the dedication of more than 600 volunteers… their efforts are making a real difference in people’s lives.”
The upgrade has done more than increase volume. It’s also given a boost to FareShare’s Meals for the Mob program, which hosts sessions where First Nations communities gather to cook, connect, and share food and culture. Over the past year, the kitchen has opened its doors to more than 100 school groups and 200 corporate volunteer teams—offering hands-on support while fostering civic engagement.
The effort is part of a broader partnership: FareShare joined forces with SecondBite in July 2024, forming one of the most effective food relief networks in Victoria. Together, they’ve been able to extend their reach, particularly into regional areas where support is often harder to access.
SecondBite’s capacity was recently enhanced with a new 10-pallet truck funded by a $250,000 grant under the Labor Government’s $4.5 million Community Food Relief Program. Since February, that truck has delivered over 138,000 kilograms of food, enabling a monthly delivery increase of more than 50 per cent.
“We’re incredibly thankful to the Victorian Government for supporting both SecondBite and FareShare to scale up food relief efforts,” said Daniel Moorfield, CEO of both organisations. “FareShare’s upgraded kitchen is now producing an extra 300,000 meals annually, and SecondBite is reaching more people in regional Victoria than ever before.”
Since 2020, the Victorian Government has committed over $56 million to food relief initiatives across the state, including $6 million in the most recent budget. As the cost of living continues to put pressure on families, these investments are becoming an essential part of the support system.
Donate To The Indian Sun
Dear Reader,The Indian Sun is an independent organisation committed to community journalism. We have, through the years, been able to reach a wide audience especially with the growth of social media, where we also have a strong presence. With platforms such as YouTube videos, we have been able to engage in different forms of storytelling. However, the past few years, like many media organisations around the world, it has not been an easy path. We have a greater challenge. We believe community journalism is very important for a multicultural country like Australia. We’re not able to do everything, but we aim for some of the most interesting stories and journalism of quality. We call upon readers like you to support us and make any contribution. Do make a DONATION NOW so we can continue with the volume and quality journalism that we are able to practice.
Thank you for your support.
Best wishes,
Team The Indian Sun
