FoodCare committee member Anne Hopwood said after 18 months of operation there were about 70 people who visited FoodCare each week to  purchase inexpensive food.

“We’ve been promoting the service and word’s really getting around,” she said.

“We’ve now also got a good range of fresh and frozen items, including meat, so there’s lots more on offer.”

Mrs Hopwood said the customers who used FoodCare came from all walks of life.

“There’s a real mixture, we’re seeing a lot of elderly men who live on their own and don’t want to do a lot of cooking,” she said.

“The next step is to produce simple recipes and put a group of things that go in the recipes together ... like a meal in a box.”

Mrs Hopwood said more volunteers would be needed for FoodCare to expand its services and opening hours.

“The need is there, but we need more volunteers,” she said.

Mrs Hopwood said volunteers were wanted to collect food on Mondays, help distribute the food at the FoodCare shop on Tuesday mornings and help unpack food deliveries on Wednesday.

People are also needed to join the FoodCare committee.

“We just need people who are fairly active, have a sense of humour and are patient,” Mrs Hopwood said.

“The people who do it now find it very rewarding. They get a good buzz out of feeling like they’re helping people.

“They also know they’re stopping food from going in to landfill.”

FoodCare is open every Tuesday from 9.30am to 12.30pm at the Glenroi Community Centre in Garema Road.

People wishing to volunteer can call Mrs Hopwood on 0400 696 349.

tracey.prisk@fairfaxmedia.com.au