By Esther Lauaki
A new truck for the Fruit2Work delivery fleet will mean a fresh start for 15 people.
The Fruit2Work social enterprise, run by youth charity Whitelion, gives people who have served time in jail a chance to gain work experience and skills through employment.
Its factory is in Laverton North.
Thanks to a $50,000 state government grant, the organisation will be able to buy a new refrigerated van to deliver fresh fruit and milk to workplaces across Victoria.
Crime Prevention Minister Ben Carroll said expansion of the Fruit2Work fleet would mean 15 people would gain valuable experience in the next three years.
“The government is helping Fruit2Work make a real difference by providing work opportunities to people who need a second chance,” Mr Carroll said.
“I would urge businesses to support this great initiative by considering Fruit2Work for their fresh fruit and milk supply needs.
“This new refrigerated van will increase the number of deliveries Fruit2Work can make, boosting the number of people it employs to prepare, pack and deliver the fresh fruit and milk.”
Since Fruit2work was launched in 2016, it has employed 28 people.
It has 14 staff who have been in the justice system, including four young people, who prepare, pack and deliver.
Fruit2Work also provides mentoring and counselling to help people make positive changes in its staff members’ lives.
Tarneit MP Sarah Connolly said Fruit2Work played an important role in helping people turn their lives around.
The grant was part of the state’s Community Crime Prevention Program, which provides funding for community-led initiatives to reduce youth crime, improve security and safety and offer support for Crime Stoppers Victoria, Neighbourhood Watch Victoria and the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council.
