Participants in a horticultural program being run out of Victoria’s Marngoneet Correctional Centre are helping to get fresh food on tables for Victorians doing it tough.
The program grows and donates more than 30 vegetable boxes each week to help Victorians experiencing food insecurity.
The partnership with Geelong Foodshare has been running for more than 13 years with over 15,000 kilograms of vegetables donated this year alone.
“Building skills and pathways to employment reduces reoffending – and that makes our communities safer,” said Minister for Corrections, Enver Erdogan.
As part of the program, participants learn practical skills including plant propagation, pruning and harvesting – building job‑ready skills for when they return to the community.
“Marngoneet’s horticulture program builds job skills while contributing positively to the community,” said Corrections Victoria Commissioner, Larissa Strong.
Seeds are donated by local business Boomaroo Nursery with all produce grown from those seedlings donated to local charities.
Geelong Foodshare supports people facing food insecurity by sourcing nutritious food and distributing it through more than 55 frontline charities and two community mini marts across the region.
One participant said knowing the vegetables help families doing it tough was deeply rewarding.
Marngoneet Correctional Centre General Manager, Aoife Johnston said the horticulture program plays a key role in rehabilitation – helping people in custody develop skills, build confidence and improve mental health.
“It’s incredibly positive to see this program benefit both people in custody and local families in need of fresh, healthy food,” she said.
Quote attributable to Geelong Foodshare CEO Andrew Schauble
“This partnership provides food for families in need while giving people in custody a sense of purpose and contribution.”
