The Wimmera Food Security Distribution Service, WFSDS, is calling on farmers to donate lentils, chickpeas and field peas to help turn locally-grown produce into thousands of nutritious meals for people with food insecurity.

WFSDS is a program of the Centre for Participation, a registered not-for-profit community organisation based in Horsham that services communities across the Wimmera.

Through its community partners, WFSDS provides food at no cost to more than 16 community groups across the region, including communities from Ararat and Donald through to Kaniva and Edenhope. 

About 1200 meals are distributed each week to individuals and families experiencing increasing pressure from cost-of-living and rising food prices.

The service has been supported by organisations including SecondBite/FareShare and Geelong Foodshare, which have provided donated food and funding to help purchase fresh produce from local wholesalers.

The Wimmera appeal is seeking donations of 500kg to 1000kg bulka bags of lentils, chickpeas or field peas, with an initial goal of securing eight bulka bags, which could help contribute about 56,000 meals.

Centre for Participation chief executive Robbie Millar said the Wimmera was one of Australia’s great food-producing regions.

“We have an opportunity to use some of what is grown here to make a real difference,” he said.

“We’re asking local farmers to consider donating a small portion of their crop. 

“One bulka bag can contribute to about 7000 healthy meals, so even a single donation can have an enormous impact.”

WFSDS has organised the logistics, transport and cleaning processes required to handle donations; farmers simply need to provide the product, with bulka bags supplied if required.

Farmers interested in donating are encouraged to contact Costa Di Biase at Centre for Participation, 39 Urquhart Street, Horsham, of by phone on 5382 5607.

People can find more information on the Centre for Participation website.

– Bronwyn Hastings

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