Central West Shopping Centre has joined forces with Maribyrnong City Council and VicHealth to provide locals with tools to create healthier habits, with the creation of Mari Feeds meal boxes.

Packed with fresh produce, Mari Feeds meal boxes are designed to reimagine health in the community, with an aim for the boxes to be delivered to 300 households across Braybrook, Maidstone and West Footscray from 27 April to 29 June 2021.

Allowing fresh fruit, vegetables and produce to be available to the entire community, the Mari Feeds project offers a more affordable solution to eating healthy.

The project will have three tiers of meal boxes: a free box provided to families in need; a reduced-cost meal box for any members of the community with a health care or concession card; and a full-priced box for those who can ‘pay it forward’ to assist in partially funding the lower-cost boxes for other community members.

Central West marketing manager, Gabriella Bowman acknowledged that Covid-19 was a difficult time for a lot of people across Australia, so the centre wants to help its local community by paying it forward with fresh, healthy produce at a small or zero cost.

“This initiative is close to our hearts, as we not only have the ability to put a meal on the table for any disadvantaged families, but also help to shape healthy habits and provide locals with the tools they need to reimagine dinnertime,” she said.

Each box comes with enough fresh produce for three meals, each feeding a family of four. Recipe cards for the meals of the week will be included, making it easy for recipients to follow the instructions.

Bookings will be open nine days prior to the delivery date each week, with final bookings closing five days prior to delivery. Bookings are accepted for all three tiers of the program.