Tuesday, 29 August 2023

Fruit2Work

Sarah CONNOLLY (Laverton) (19:09): (316) My adjournment is for the Minister for Corrections in the other place, and the action I seek is that the minister join me to meet with Fruit2Work at their factory in Laverton North. Now, as the minister may well be aware, Fruit2Work is a fantastic social enterprise and charity that operates throughout Melbourne delivering fruit boxes. Where they shine is that their workforce is comprised of folks who have previously been imprisoned, giving them the chance to turn their lives around and get back on their feet. I am very proud to say that amongst Fruit2Work members no-one who has worked there has gone on to reoffend.

I had the pleasure of visiting their site just a few weeks ago, and it was incredible to see just how big that enterprise has grown since I visited last in I think 2019. Their warehouse has doubled in size. There are now 18 trucks, creating more jobs and opportunities for people in our community who have hit rock bottom to get their lives back on track, which is why I would greatly welcome the minister coming out with me to meet with Rob and Simon and the team in Laverton North to see what they have been able to accomplish over the past four years and, more importantly, to see firsthand how they have been able to change the lives of people working at Fruit2Work.