Geelong Food Relief Centre (GFRC) was established in 1990 and assists those in need of emergency food relief in Geelong and surrounding communities.
We work with
The Geelong Food Relief Centre (GFRC) is a leading provider of emergency food relief throughout the Geelong Region. We work in partnership with agencies to provide a significant amount of Emergency Food Relief (EMR) to the community. The GFRC bulk food distribution service supplies fresh and ambient food to over 50 community organisations who are each doing amazing work preparing meals, operating community pantries and markets, running children’s homework classes or similar food relief services. We also run two mini-marts where individuals and families can come and shop in a dignified manner, having agency to choose the fresh nutritious food they wish to eat.
Geelong Food Relief Statistics 2022-2023
- 38,589 individuals supported through mini-marts
- 850,000kg distributed = the equivalent of 1.7 million meals locally
- Over $2.5 million worth of groceries distributed via the Mini-Marts
Our Mission:
To provide a logistic hub and retail services to support charitable organisations who provide food relief.
Our Services
We continue to provide grocery supplies through the use of two Mini-Marts located in Geelong CBD and North Geelong to individuals and families who are facing financial hardship. We also have a bulk distribution service present in North Geelong, which allows the GFRC to provide bulk foods to micro agencies and schools that are present within the G21 region which includes Greater Geelong Region, Bellarine, Surf Coast and Winchelsea in order to meet the demand of families in crisis. GFRC also work in conjunction with welfare officers at schools located within the G21 region to help school families that are facing crisis by providing them with Emergency Food.
How Does It Work?
Clients undergo a quick assessment by one of our participating agencies such as The Salvation Army, Uniting South Barwon, Uniting Norlane, St Vincent De Paul Society, to see whether they qualify for an Emergency Food voucher. If clients do qualify for a food voucher, they will be allocated an amount of points on the voucher (20, 30, 40, 50 etc), the voucher can then be redeemed at either of our two Mini-Marts sites (37-41 Morgan Street, North Geelong or 1 Little Smythe Street, Geelong).
When customers visit the Mini-Marts, they are able to make their own selection from a range of different types of fresh fruits, vegetables, milk, frozen food, meat, personal hygiene supplies & other basic toiletry needs. The Mini-Marts also provide a range of (no charge) items for clients to supplement the value of the voucher.
Note that the vouchers can ONLY be redeemed at the Geelong Food Relief Mini-Marts. Click here for locations.