A team from Coles in Cowes, recently visited the Phillip Island Community and Learning Centre (PICAL).

The emergency food relief program at PICAL was central to the visit, with the employees from Coles learning about what happens to the food Coles donates, every weekday, to the pantry.

"At Coles we're working with charities and partners towards zero hunger. This commitment is demonstrated, here on the island, when we donate unsold, edible food to PICAL's pantry," said Jarrod Ryan, Store Manager Coles Cowes.

"It was great to visit the pantry, on Warley Avenue in Cowes, and see how these donations are making a real difference to the lives of local people."

PICAL Centre Manager David Rooks said around 25 people visit the food relief pantry every weekday.

"On average, they request enough food to keep them going for four days. This service would be impossible without the support of businesses like Coles with around 200kgs of food coming into the pantry and being distributed each day."

At the pantry, which is only 30 square metres in size, the food is sorted, then shelved or refrigerated. To avoid waste, food with limited shelf life is moved on immediately or frozen.

Some of the food provided by Coles and other local businesses ends up with PICAL's cooking groups. The cooking groups use foods from the pantry to make fresh homemade meals.

"By batch cooking we can transform donated ingredients into delicious meals for those who are fighting food insecurity," said Annette MacKenzie, Cooking Co-ordinator.

"It's satisfying to know that we're driving zero-waste while also helping people in our community."

Over the last year demand for PICAL's food relief service has increased with around 20 per cent more people seeking food from the pantry.

Des, who uses the pantry regularly, explains, "I'm comforted knowing that no matter how tough things are, the PICAL pantry is here. It's thanks to local business like Coles that I can be assured of the food staples I need to get me through the week."

The pantry is co-ordinated by volunteers and relies on donations from local stores, such as Coles, as well as donations from local residents and businesses.

If you are experiencing food insecurity, the pantry at PICAL is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 3pm.

PICAL is located at 16 Warley Avenue, Cowes.

For more information go to www.pical.org.au or follow PICAL on Facebook.