Why Food Security?
MEDIA RELEASE 25 August 2026 | Barapa Barapa Country
Ngalgarra Resources Indigenous Corporation Secures $30,000 to Strengthen Community Food Security
Ngalgarra Resources Indigenous Corporation (NRICorp) is pleased to announce that it has been awarded $30,000 through the VACCHO DFFH 2026/2027 Community Food Security Grants to support community food security initiatives.
The funding provides an important opportunity for NRICorp to strengthen locally driven approaches to food security, food sovereignty, healthy food literacy with communities having greater access to affordable and culturally appropriate food.
NRICorp CEO Juanita ‘Wanda’ Halden said the grant provides a foundation from which partnerships can be built across First Nations organisations, community groups, growers, food producers, businesses, government, health services and the broader agricultural sector.
“Food security is about much more than putting food on the table. It is about food literacy for health, Country, culture, affordability, resilience and ensuring our communities have greater control over how food is grown, sourced, prepared and shared.
We thank VACCHO and the Victorian Government through DFFH for investing $30,000 in this work and recognising the importance of community-led responses to food security.
After an extremely competitive round we are fortunate to secure this money, we now want to use this opportunity to bring people together. We are calling for partners who share our vision and can help us turn this initial investment into a sustainable regional food security model.”
CALL FOR PARTNERS
Ngalgarra Resources Indigenous Corporation is inviting expressions of interest from organisations, businesses and individuals interested in collaborating on the initiative.
We particularly welcome discussions with:
- First Nations organisations, Traditional Owners and community-controlled organisations;
- local farmers, growers, horticulturalists and food producers;
- supermarkets, grocers, butchers, bakeries, hospitality businesses and food wholesalers;
- community gardens and neighbourhood and community organisations;
- health, nutrition and wellbeing organisations;
- schools, training providers and employment services;
- local councils and government agencies;
- food rescue and food relief organisations;
- transport, refrigeration, storage and logistics providers;
- philanthropic organisations, corporate partners and social-impact investors; and
- businesses able to contribute equipment, produce, expertise, infrastructure or in-kind support.
NRICorp is particularly interested in partnerships that can help create a longer-term, First Nations-led regional food security and food sovereignty model, connecting local food production with community access, education, employment, enterprise development and caring for Country.
The initiative will also explore opportunities to strengthen local supply chains, reduce food waste, support community growing and food production, improve access to fresh food and create pathways for First Nations people to participate in food, agriculture and related enterprises.
BUILDING SOMETHING BEYOND A SINGLE GRANT
NRICorp sees the VACCHO DFFH investment as a starting point.
The organisation is seeking to leverage the initial $30,000 investment through partnerships, co-investment, in-kind contributions and future funding opportunities to build an initiative capable of delivering longer-term social, health, economic and environmental benefits.
“This is an invitation to work together,” Ms Halden said.
“Regional communities already have farmers, knowledge, land, skills, businesses and people who want to help. What we need is to connect those strengths.
We would particularly like to hear from organisations and businesses that have food, equipment, infrastructure, land, transport, training, expertise or investment that could contribute.
Our goal is not simply short-term food relief. We want to build capacity and develop practical solutions that strengthen community resilience and create opportunities for people to participate in growing, producing and distributing food.”
NRICorp acknowledges and thanks the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) and the Victorian Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) for supporting the initiative through the 2026/2027 Community Food Security Grants.
EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST — PARTNER WITH US
Organisations, businesses, growers and community members interested in discussing partnership opportunities are encouraged to contact:
Ngalgarra Resources Indigenous Corporation
ICN 11778
Juanita ‘Wanda’ Halden
CEO
Email: info@nricorp.com.au
Website: nricorp.com.au
ENDS
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