Barraba locals are the beneficiary following Liberty Foodcare establishing a low-cost community supermarket in part of the Old Vic Hotel in Queen Street.

Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson said he was pleased the former government had been able to contribute to the shop with a $12,500 grant from the Community Building Partnerships fund allowing Liberty to purchase fridges.

“Liberty Foodcare have proven to be a lifeline for Barraba since it first opened last year,” Mr Anderson said.

“The organisation provides low-cost groceries to Barraba locals who are looking to drive down the cost of their weekly shop at a time when the cost of living is so high.

“With their new fridges, Liberty Foodcare can offer a wider range of goods including fresh produce.

“Around a third of the Barraba community are now registered with Liberty Foodcare, offering them more choice in where to buy their goods in town.”

Liberty Pastor James Ardill said the Foodcare shop was easing financial pressure on the local community by providing low-cost groceries.

“The way the dollar is going, and the way petrol prices are going, it’s just going to continue to add pressure on people because you can’t absorb those increased costs this quickly,” Pastor Ardill said.

“One of the biggest benefits from our new fridges is that we’ve been able to provide perishable food items like dairy and meat. In some respects, those items have experienced the greatest increase in costs.”

The Community Building Partnerships program is has re-opened for 2023. For more information, visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-construction/community-building-partnership