$1m funding for Foodbank WA

The state government has given $1 million to Foodbank WA, an organisation that distributes surplus food to needy families, to help fund upgrading its operations.

FoodBank provides food relief to families through 650 community welfare organisations and 300 schools by 'rescuing' surplus food from the food industry and distributing it through its metropolitan and country warehouses.

It operates in Welshpool, Albany, Geraldton and Mandurah.

The $1 million funding is in addition to a $6.39 million allocation from Lotterywest towards Foodbank's infrastructure project.

Premier Colin Barnett said, "This is a real investment in the future of Foodbank - it will help this important community service evolve into a better-resourced, more efficient organisation with its very own modern infrastructure."

Community Services Minister Robyn McSweeney said Foodbank was an enormous logistical operation.

"To collect 1.8 million kilograms of food annually, Foodbank uses seven trucks and 100 volunteers at five centres. They co-ordinate 200 businesses which donate food and 350 government and private organisations that provide finance and infrastructure to ensure the food gets out," said Mrs McSweeney.