People in prison at Marngoneet Correctional Centre are helping to put food on the table for those in need this Christmas by growing and donating vegetable boxes to Geelong Foodshare.
Participants in the horticulture program at Marngoneet Correctional Centre grow vegetables from seedlings and donate more than 30 boxes of produce each week to support local residents.
Participants learn to propagate plants from seeds, prune and harvest the vegetables. Marngoneet has partnered with Geelong Foodshare for more than 12 years and this year alone has donated more than 15,000 kilograms of vegetables.
Geelong Foodshare provides food for locals who are experiencing food insecurity by sourcing and collecting nutritious food, which is shared with frontline charities to feed people in need.
The seeds are generously donated from local business Boomaroo Nursery with the understanding that all vegetables grown are donated to local charities.
Ben*, a person in prison who participated in the program this year, said 'knowing that the veggies will help some families doing it tough at Christmas put a meal on the table is a great feeling.'
The program helps people in prison to develop practical skills they can use to get a job when they’re released, as well as improving their self-worth and mental health.
*Name has been changed.
