The more than 2,000 kg of pumpkins,1,000 kg of cabbage, nearly 1,000 kg of grapefruit and over 300 kg of lemons were grown at Bunbury Regional Prison and the Karnet, Wooroloo and Pardelup prison farms.
While most of the produce grown at WA’s prison farms is typically used within the State’s correctional facilities, this year’s bumper harvest has exceeded expectations allowing for a generous donation to Foodbank WA.
Primary Production Coordinator Kevin Binning said it was incredibly rewarding to be able to support the wider community in this way.
“At Karnet the team is only halfway through the pumpkin harvest, and there’s still 15 to 20 thousand kilos of pumpkins to be picked. At Pardelup there’s another month of cabbage waiting to be harvested.”
The sizeable donation is a major boost for FoodbankWA, which last month assisted more than 800 customers every day - a 16% rise in daily customer numbers compared to last year.”
“We’re so grateful to the Department of Justice for this incredible contribution,” said Kate O’Hara, FoodbankWA CEO.
“This donation allows us to distribute fresh fruit and vegetables across all of our regional branches, as well as here in Perth.”
“We aim to empower people through nutritious eating and cooking. That means working hard to keep a varied and exciting range available. Donations like this make a huge difference,” Ms O’Hara said.
The State’s prison farms play a vital role not just in reducing food costs for correctional facilities and taxpayers, but also in supporting prisoner rehabilitation.
“These farms provide prisoners with meaningful work, vocational training and practical life skills which prepare them for life after release,” Primary Production Coordinator Kevin Binning said.
“It’s a model which benefits the entire community – from the inside out.”
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