Media Release

Wednesday, 4 November 2009

Ensuring the ability to continue to store basic fresh food is the main objective of the Food For All Fridge Assist Program being run in Swan Hill, which was developed to overcome the shortage of food storage facilities in community households.

Council's Food For All Officer Sallie Amy said the Fridge Assist Program aimed to help people in the community who find themselves without a refrigerator and are unable to purchase one in the immediate future. 

“It is well known that consuming nutritious food contributes to good physical health and mental well being throughout life,” Ms Amy said.

“Having a refrigerator is an essential item in any household to store perishable foods such as fruit, vegetables, dairy and meat and without such an appliance the ability to have a supply of these nutritious foods is difficult.”

To be eligible for the program the applicant must be currently receiving Centrelink payments and are also either a single parent with children living in the municipality, have a household with children aged under six years old, are an older resident living in the municipality, is a carer of a person with a disability or have a disability themselves and are living in the municipality.

“Applicants who meet the criteria and successfully apply for the Fridge Assist Program then participate in a financial and budgetary program to assist in money management and eventually be in a position to purchase their own refrigerator,” Ms Amy said.

“The key to the program is the support that is provided to participants while they improve their financial position and build their capacity to manage expenses.”

Ms Amy said the Fridge Assist Program had been made possible with the support of many organisations within the community including Murray Downs Golf and Country Club, Stutley Removals, Swan Hill Credit Union, Centrelink, Loddon Mallee Housing, Mallee Family Care, Mallee Domestic Violence and Swan Hill Rural City Council.

For more information regarding the Fridge Assist Program please contact Sallie Amy at Council on 5036 2333.