MASTERCHEF winner Kate Bracks says she jumped at the chance to be the patron of FoodCare Orange and supports the organisation’s efforts to provide affordable, good quality food and household items to those in need.
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FoodCare, which opens its doors to the general public today, is a community service run by volunteers that enables families and individuals on Centrelink or with healthcare or pension cards to access basic necessities.
Mrs Bracks said FoodCare encompasses a lot of things that are important to her.
“It ticks all the boxes,” she said.
“It’s about the local community helping people in need .... and it’s also about food.”
Mrs Bracks said despite Orange’s reputation as a “foodie” city many local people are struggling to put food on their tables.
“I have a real passion for making sure there’s food security for people,” she said.
Mrs Bracks said it was not only important for people to have adequate food, it was also important that the food be good quality.
“One of the sad realities of our world is that low-nutrient food is cheap and easy to come by,” Mrs Bracks said.
As part of her association with FoodCare Mrs Bracks will volunteer when she can and hopes to eventually help out with cooking classes.
“It’s also my dream to get the community garden re-established,” she said.
FoodCare’s chairperson Julia Zinga said it was hard to gauge exactly how many people would use the service when it opens.
“[However we know] A significant proportion of people in Orange are in need of extra help; access to affordable good quality nutritious food,” she said.
Mrs Zinga hopes FoodCare will also encourage people to cook healthy food that the whole family will enjoy eating.
FoodCare, which operates out of the Glenroi Community Centre on Garema Road, will be open to the public after lunch today.
tracey.prisk@fairfaxmedia.com.au