Access to affordable food is a step closer for disadvantaged families and community members in the Shire of Waroona after a Mobile Foodbank launched earlier this month.
The initiative was brought to life by Foodbank Mandurah and Waroona Family Support Service and is the first of its kind in the Peel region.
The Mobile Foodbank will operate once a month to assist those who struggle with the cost or travel involved with accessing the service in Mandurah or Bunbury.
Waroona Family Support Service coordinator Sarah Robertson said she was prompted to establish the service in Waroona to address a lack of services, transport and isolation that impacts people in regional communities.
"There are so many individuals and families who either can't afford the travel to Mandurah or just can't get there to access services like Foodbank," she said.
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"It's a big issue out here with the severe lack of services we have that are funded for or contracted for the Peel region but they can't get to Waroona to offer the service out here.
"For families who need it, who are trying to find affordable food to be able to feed their families, this access will help to alleviate any financial pressures they have."
Foodbank Mandurah and Waroona Family Support Service hosted an opening event to celebrate the beginning of the Mobile Foodbank on October 3 and give locals their first opportunity to use the service.
They were joined by Murray-Wellington MP Robyn Clarke, Shire of Murray chief executive Dean Unsworth and dozens of community members.
Ms Robertson said the event, and the produce that was available to purchase, was fantastic.
"What people got for the prices they paid was absolutely amazing and I got so much positive feedback so I think we will be a lot busier next month," she said.
"There were $20 hampers with enough ingredients to make four meals for a family of four plus loads of other extras like cereal, long life milk and even meat.
"There was an option for a frozen meal bundle and we also had fruit and veg hampers for various prices - there was so much selection for those and they were good quality."
The Mobile Foodbank will be available once a month at the Waroona Resource Community Centre.
