Nutritious Food Strengthening Food Security

Mooroopna Park Primary School Meals Program

At Shepparton Foodshare, our vision is for a region where everyone has dignified access to the food and essentials they need to live well, belong and thrive.

Food is about so much more than meeting an immediate need. Access to nutritious, diverse food supports health and wellbeing, learning, connection and participation – and contributes to stronger, more resilient communities.

Since Shepparton Foodshare began, we have distributed more than 5.5 million kilograms of food – the equivalent of 11 million meals – helping to build a more food-secure region.

Improving food security takes a village. Shepparton Foodshare works alongside supermarkets, businesses, food manufacturers, growers, community members and other food rescue organisations to rescue and receive quality, safe and culturally appropriate edible food.

That food is then shared, free of charge, through more than 110 registered agencies, including schools, neighbourhood houses, community meal programs, emergency relief services, faith organisations and more.

Through these partnerships, nutritious food reaches people at different stages of life – strengthening access to food across our diverse community.

While having food available during times of emergency or unexpected hardship is important, our work is also about the bigger picture: supporting food security every day and creating opportunities for people to live well, connect and thrive.

One example of this broader impact can be seen in our partnerships with local schools.

During 2025–26, Shepparton Foodshare distributed 60,000 kilograms of food to many local schools.

School food and meal programs provide much more than nutritious food. They create inclusive spaces where students can come together, connect with others and share the experience of preparing and enjoying food.

Access to nutritious food also supports concentration, energy and healthy brain function, helping students arrive in the classroom ready to participate and learn.

For many schools, the food that they received from Shepparton Foodshare has also becomes a valuable learning tool.

Students can build practical life skills through preparing and cooking meals, adapting recipes and learning how to make the most of the ingredients available. They have opportunities to discover new foods and flavours, plan menus, work collaboratively and take on different roles and responsibilities.

These experiences can build confidence, independence and leadership skills – all while strengthening positive connections with food and with each other.

This is why the impact of every food donation and every contribution to Shepparton Foodshare extends well beyond the food itself.

Food can create connection. It can support learning. It can build skills and confidence. It can bring people together and help strengthen communities.

Most importantly, it helps create a region where nutritious food is accessible and where everyone has the opportunity to live well, belong and thrive.

Improving food security is only possible through the collective support of our community.