Food Bowl forced out

The Amaranth Foundation’s Corowa and Region Food Bowl’s future is now uncertain after being advised that its lease of the hospitality building at Corowa TAFE will be terminated just before Christmas.

For the past two years, the Food Bowl has operated successfully from the TAFE college, providing essential food relief and connection to people doing it tough across Corowa and the wider region.

Now, due to safety concerns with surrounding buildings on the campus, TAFE’s external property managers have advised that the lease will not continue.

“We absolutely acknowledge the importance of safety for volunteers, staff and community members,” Julianne Whyte, CEO of Amaranth Foundation said.

“We respect TAFE’s concerns and we would never want anyone placed at risk.”

However, Julieanne said that while the buildings around the hospitality room had been deemed unsafe, other businesses were still being allowed to rent space on the site.

At the same time, Amaranth has been directed to cease operating the Food Bowl from the building before Christmas, despite an earlier understanding that the service could remain there until an alternative, appropriate location had been secured.

“Originally, there was support for us to stay in place while we worked with Federation Council to find a suitable new home,” Julianne said.

“That’s now changed, and we are being required to move much sooner than anticipated.

“The timing, so close to Christmas, when need is at its highest, is deeply concerning.”

Several options have already been explored.

Around three years ago, Amaranth leased the Old Railway Station from TAFE as a base for the Food Bowl, but that building is no longer considered suitable for safe storage and distribution of food.

The Old Men’s Shed has been discussed as a possible site, but Council has advised that it would require significant repairs before it could be used again.

This leaves a growing service with an urgent question: where to from here?

The Corowa and Region Food Bowl is more than just a storeroom for groceries.

Julieanne said the community hub supported some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people in the region, individuals and families experiencing financial hardship, housing stress, social isolation and other complex challenges.

The service provides both perishable and non-perishable food, and does so in a way that prioritises dignity, respect and connection.

To continue this work, the Food Bowl urgently needs:

•A location suitable for storing perishable and non-perishable food (including capacity for refrigeration).

•A site that is safe and compliant for volunteers and service users.

•Affordable rent, to ensure funds remain focused on supporting people rather than covering overheads.

•A space that is accessible and convenient to both the local Corowa community and the broader region.

Amaranth Foundation has issued a Call to Action to the local and regional community.

“We don’t want the Food Bowl to be seen as just an Amaranth program,” Julieanne said.

“We want it to be a community program, something that businesses, service clubs, community groups, churches, farmers and local residents can feel a sense of ownership of and pride in.

“But we can’t do that alone; we need help.”

Amaranth is appealing to businesses with underused spaces, cool rooms, storage areas or shopfronts; service clubs and community groups with halls or facilities that could share or co-locate space; property owners and landlords who may be able to offer a suitable site at affordable rent; and local organisations interested in partnering to make the Food Bowl a shared community initiative.

“This is an invitation to work together,” Julianne said.

“If you have space, ideas or resources that could help keep the Food Bowl going, not just for Christmas but into the future, we would love to hear from you.

“The Food Bowl belongs to our community’s most vulnerable and keeping it going is a measure of who we are as a region and how we look after each other.”

Amaranth Foundation is asking anyone who may be able to assist with a suitable premises, partnership or support to get in touch as soon as possible.

For enquiries or offers of assistance please contact Julianne Whyte on 0408 388 533 or email julianne.whyte@amaranth.org.au.