Handling fees for staple foods sought by hundreds of church, charity and welfare agencies to distribute to needy families and individuals across Victoria have been wiped after a funding top-up by the State Government.

Minister for Community Services Sherryl Garbutt said an extra $550,000 a year would be allocated to VicRelief+Foodbank to reduce food costs for the welfare sector.

This lifts total State Government support for emergency food and material relief to $1.77 million a year.

'The Government is making sure Victorians facing hardship get the support they need,' Ms Garbutt said.

The Victorian Relief Committee and Foodbank Victoria merged early this year in a move that aimed to deliver more emergency relief more efficiently to needy people of all ages, including in times of crisis.

'The merger has provided a unique opportunity for the Government to address the issue of fee relief for hundreds of agencies that handle donated food,' Ms Garbutt said.

'The State Government has listened to the concerns of the sector and will deliver an extra $550,000 a year to ensure no agency pays handling fees on fresh fruit and vegetables and staples such as rice, pasta and canned goods.

VicRelief+Foodbank services include a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week on call availability to coordinate distribution of material aid and food as part of the Victorian Emergency Recovery Plan following natural disasters.

It also manages a range of charity projects, such as the current winter blanket appeal, now in its 72nd year.

•          To donate food or groceries or offer support to VicRelief+Foodbank telephone 9362 8300.