Anglicare teams up with church offer cheap fruit and veg to those in need

A GOLD coin is all it costs to get a bag of fruit and vegetables in Sydney’s south west and in today’s difficult financial climate, every bit saved can go a long way.

Volunteer Rosa supplies Issam with some food. Picture: Melvyn Knipe

• Reining in Sydney’s housing shortfall
• Couple rescue downtrodden pooch

A GOLD coin is all it costs to get a bag of fruit and vegetables in Sydney’s south west.

Anglicare and St Luke’s Anglican Church are providing the fresh produce to pension, healthcare, Centrelink or immigration card holders.

Fresh Food Tuesday offers affordable food to those struggling to make ends meet on low incomes.

Each week there are more than 60 households taking advantage of the offering.

St Luke’s senior minister Stuart Pearson said it was great being able to care for people.

“Fresh Food Tuesday allows us to engage with people in a meaningful way,” he said.

“Not only do our church volunteers help provide food, the program gives us opportunities to build relationships with those who are seeking help.”

Grab fruit and vegetables for a few dollars. Picture: Melvyn Knipe

Anglicare’s annual rental snapshot recently revealed that unless people were prepared to spend more than 30 per cent of their income on rent, there were no affordable or appropriate properties for households receiving income support.

Anglicare Liverpool manager Anita Cuca said it was harder than ever to feed a family on a low income.

“With the cost of living, particularly rents so high, people on low incomes are finding it difficult to put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads,” Ms Cuca said.

She said the program wasn’t just about handing out food.

“Fresh Food Tuesday will provide an opportunity to connect with new people and overcome social isolation,” she said.

Anglicare has run the event for seven years in Liverpool.

The Food is supplied by Oz Harvest and Food Bank.