Jeremy Rockliff,Minister for Community Services and Development
The Tasmanian Liberal Government is today delivering the first of three new vehicles to expand Vinnies Food Vans, as part of our election commitment to purchase three new utes for the service across the State.
It is fantastic to be able to officially hand over the keys for the first new vehicle at Vinnies’ East Devonport store. This is part of our investment of $165,516 to the St Vincent de Paul Society of Tasmania to purchase three new Toyota Hilux flat tray dual-cab vehicles to expand its food vans service in the North-West, North and South.
With the addition of three new vehicles, the program has been significantly expanded, with two vans in each region – a total of six across Tasmania.
Vinnies Vans are now operating in greater Hobart, Launceston, Burnie, Somerset, Wynyard and Smithton.
The new vehicles are part of the Government’s long-term plan to improve food security for Tasmania’s most vulnerable. We have already taken the first step by developing Tasmania’s Food Relief to Food Resilience Strategy, released in August.
We have also committed to an increase in base funding for all three state-funded food vans, from $40,000 per year to $60,000 per year, until 2024 to secure this important service.
Vinnies Food Vans operate seven nights a week, rotating across service areas. On average, they encounter 50 people each evening, with a broad cross section of the community of all different ages accessing them.
The Tasmanian Liberal Government acknowledges and thanks St Vinnies for the wonderful work they do in keeping communities connected and supported.
