The Daylesford Neighbourhood Centre (DNC), has announced that it has been successful in securing $89,000 through the Victorian Government’s Community Food Relief Program – Local Grants (2025–26) in partnership with the Good Grub Club (GGC).  

The funding will support the creation of a new community food hub—The Paddock & Pantry Project—set to transform food security and community engagement across Daylesford and Hepburn Shire.

Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas, said the program is designed to “deliver much needed food relief to those who need it, and provide a helping hand for locals in need, so they can get back on their feet”.

Announcing the funding, Ms Thomas said community organisations were central to meeting local need.  “We know our wonderful community organisations have the local knowledge and connections to best understand and respond to local needs, and to provide food relief where it’s needed most,” she said.

Local neighbourhood houses and volunteer groups have been reporting increased demand for food assistance over the past few years, reflecting pressures on household budgets and the rising cost of living.  The program aims to provide consistent, long-term investment in food security

From January 2026, the 18-month project will revitalise underutilised outdoor space at DNC into a productive garden, community kitchen and expanded food relief centre.  The initiative responds directly to increasing local need, with 10–15% of Hepburn Shire households experiencing difficulty accessing fresh and affordable food.

A key component of the project is the relocation and integration of Good Grub Club’s established food relief operations—including weekly meals, pantry services and food hampers—into the new site.  With GGC facing the loss of their current venue within the next year, the Paddock & Pantry Project ensures their services continue without disruption while creating opportunities to expand capacity and community reach.

A Community Hub for Food Relief, Skills and Connection

The project will deliver significant infrastructure upgrades, including:

  • A refurbished kitchen and cool room
  • New raised garden beds, irrigation system, fruit trees and Indigenous plantings
  • A chook run and worm farm
  • A dedicated food distribution station
  • A greenhouse and expanded outdoor growing spaces

These improvements will support the production of local fresh food and eggs along with hands-on opportunities for community members to learn and participate.

Over the 60-week program, the project will offer:

  • 12 community workshops on gardening, cooking and Indigenous plant knowledge
  • Partnerships with local schools to deliver hands-on learning
  • Seasonal community events, including harvest celebrations and NAIDOC garden activities
  • Volunteer training and coordination for 24+ ongoing volunteers

The project will also involve collaboration with the local Aboriginal community to embed cultural learning, Indigenous knowledge and sustainable practices into the hub’s operations.

Strengthening Local Food Security

This investment builds long-term resilience for the region by strengthening local food production, preserving cultural knowledge, supporting volunteer leadership and ensuring essential food relief services continue uninterrupted.

DNC Coordinator Kate Moran said the project represents “a major step forward in building a healthy, supported and empowered community, where people can access fresh food, learn new skills and connect with others.”  The funding builds on and further secures the Good Grub Club’s ability to keep nourishing the community and allows their impact to grow through a permanent, purpose-built home.

A High-Value Community Partnership

The total value of the project exceeds $438,000, with more than $316,000 contributed through volunteer hours, alongside in-kind contributions and DNC’s ongoing support.

This article is based on a media release from the office of Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas.