New co-op gardens to help put healthy food on the menu

EIGHT new food co-operatives will be set up around Tasmania to give people access to cheap fresh food.

West Moonah Community House garden coordinator Stuart Gath, left, and West Moonah Community House manager Mel Knuckey. The house is one of eight around Tas to get share of $100,000 to set up food co-op. pic Sam Rosewarne

EIGHT new food co-operatives will be set up at community houses around Tasmania to give people access to cheap fresh food.

The community houses will share in $100,000 in pre-election funding to set up the food co-ops to promote healthy eating.

Human Services Minister Jacqui Petrusma said the new co-operatives would complement a range of activities funded by local, state and federal governments on food security, dirt to plate and improving nutrition at the community level.

“Neighbourhood Houses Tasmania has worked with Eat Well Tasmania and the Heart Foundation to support this project and to help these eight Neighbourhood Houses to establish food co-operatives,” Ms Petrusma said.

The successful Neighbourhood House food co-operatives proposals are Geeveston Community Centre and Maranoa Heights Community Centre, Bucaan Community House, Dunalley Neighbourhood House, Northern Suburbs Community Centre at Rocherlea, Deloraine House and West Moonah Community House.

Manager of the West Moonah Community House Mel Knuckey said there was a great need for access to fresh food in the area and food co-operative activities would begin in March after building works were completed.