Whittlesea Food Collective

Located within Melbourne Polytechnic's Epping campus, the Whittlesea Food Collective is a community-driven initiative dedicated to combating food insecurity in the Whittlesea region. Established in late 2019, it offers free food and material aid to households facing hardship, alongside assistance with bill payments and access to various support services. The collective also provides opportunities for volunteering and community engagement. Its objectives include enhancing community connectedness, improving health and wellbeing, creating training and employment pathways, and demonstrating environmental best practices in food production and distribution. Key services encompass a food distribution centre, a demonstration garden, food preparation facilities, and community education workshops. The collective is a partnership between Whittlesea Community Connections, Yarra Valley Water, Melbourne Polytechnic, and the City of Whittlesea.