Coles is working with the Victorian Government to donate fresh food and groceries to thousands of Melbourne residents who have been confined to their apartments as part of mandatory COVID safety measures.

Coles has repurposed its supermarket in Waterfield Street Coburg as a pop-up fulfilment centre, packing 1000 boxes with donations of fresh foods including a selection of fresh produce, bread, dairy products including milk and fresh meat, poultry and meat substitutes.

These will be added to 1000 boxes packed with long-life groceries including cereal, pasta, tinned food, biscuits and toilet paper already on their way to distribution points.

Each of the boxes is intended to be enough to feed four people for three days, and include forms for residents to request specific supplies to be included in forthcoming deliveries.

Coles Chief Operations Officer Matt Swindells said the Coburg store team had begun packing boxes first thing this morning and the first deliveries would begin tonight.

“It’s been a huge effort by all involved to help the community – not just the store team but the supply chain and our suppliers,” Mr Swindells said.

“We’ll continue to work with the Victorian government to provide essentials to the residents of these buildings for as long as they need.”

The food supplies follow Coles’ donation of seven pallets of essentials on Sunday including nappies, baby wipes, infant formula and hand sanitiser for distribution to those in lockdown.