The business has sponsored a food assistance project in the Central Wheatbelt through Foodbank WA and is now looking to include their nutrition education program as a beneficiary of our funding.
Last year we announced that Arc Infrastructure had entered an ongoing partnership with Foodbank WA to deliver benefits to multiple communities in Western Australia’s Wheatbelt region.
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Foodbank WA identified a gap in the services being delivered in the Wheatbelt and saw an opportunity to potentially expand the food and groceries being provided to locals struggling to put food on the table.
Arc kicked off the long-term partnership by funding critical food relief needs assessment research in the Wheatbelt that provided recommendations on how Foodbank WA could best help those experiencing food insecurity in the area.
The learnings shaped a six-month pilot program with Wyalkatchem selected as the first food provision distribution hub in the trial. Surrounding towns which tapped into the food relief hub included Beacon, Koordan, Cunderdin and Kalannie. Additional support was provided directly to Northam.
The Central Wheatbelt food assistance project is now close to reaching the exciting one year milestone with planning for year two underway.
With Arc’s ongoing support, the charity is hoping to be able to deliver Mobile Foodbank hampers to those living in Bruce Rock, Moora and Narrogin.
Arc Infrastructure CEO, Murray Cook, said the company was keen to support the rollout extending through the greater Wheatbelt area where Arc operates.
“We are happy to see the Wheatbelt food relief research and trial has provided tangible evidence that people in our communities are experiencing food insecurity and taken steps to connect people doing it tough with food relief.”
Foodbank WA’s commitment to improving food security includes helping to reduce the negative health impacts of food insecurity by providing nutrition information that helps people better understand their nutritional needs.
A portion of the funding provided to the food relief organisation through Arc’s Principal Partnership will also be allocated to nutrition education.
“Incorporating cooking and nutrition education, the food literacy program provided by Foodbank WA, helps those accessing food relief maximise the value of the essentials they are provided with and empowers any participants looking to build their confidence in the kitchen to choose and prepare affordable, simple, nutritious, home cooked meals.
“Arc Infrastructure is proud to help Foodbank WA reduce food insecurity in the Central Wheatbelt region of Western Australia through the delivery of hampers and education around food safety, healthy eating, meal planning, and reading labels on food packaging.
“We look forward to seeing the continued, long-lasting, meaningful and positive impact of this project and program during our Principal Partnership with Foodbank WA,” Mr Cook said.
Arc Infrastructure General Manager Commercial and Development, Nathan Speed, will be participating in the Foodbank WA
Meal Makers week in October. To help Foodbank WA provide 10,000 meals to vulnerable people in our community, visit Mr Speed's
Meal Makers page here.
If you or someone you know is going without,
help is available by calling The Emergency Relief & Food Assistance Hotline on 1800 979 777, Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm.
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