A new Coles supermarket has officially opened in Bendigo, bringing a significant employment boost to the growing regional city while strengthening support for local food relief programs.

Located in one of Bendigo's expanding residential areas along the Calder Highway, the new store has created 110 jobs, with positions spanning customer service, grocery, fresh produce, bakery, deli, management and online fulfilment. The opening is expected to improve shopping convenience for nearby residents while contributing to the local economy.

The supermarket features a full range of fresh food departments, including a bakery, deli, seafood, meat, fresh produce and ready-to-eat meal options. It also offers modern shopping facilities designed to improve customer convenience, reflecting Coles' continued investment in regional Victorian communities.

Beyond employment, the new store has committed to supporting food rescue initiatives by partnering with organisations that collect surplus food and redistribute it to people experiencing hardship. Rather than allowing quality unsold food to go to waste, eligible products will be donated to charities that provide meals and groceries to vulnerable individuals and families.

Coles has an established national partnership with Second Bite, a food rescue organisation that collects surplus food from supermarkets and delivers it to community groups across Australia. The partnership has helped divert millions of kilograms of edible food from landfill while providing meals for people facing food insecurity.

The Bendigo store is expected to contribute to this ongoing effort by donating suitable surplus groceries, including fresh fruit and vegetables, bakery items and other products that remain safe to consume but can no longer be sold.

The opening also reflects Bendigo's continued population growth and increasing demand for retail services. As one of Victoria's largest regional cities, Bendigo has experienced strong residential development in recent years, leading major retailers to expand their presence to meet growing customer demand.

Local recruitment for the new supermarket has provided opportunities for people entering the workforce for the first time, as well as experienced retail employees seeking new roles. Regional employment opportunities of this scale are welcomed by local businesses and community leaders, particularly during periods of continued population growth.

In addition to providing employment and expanded grocery services, the store's support for food rescue programs highlights the increasing focus among retailers on reducing food waste while helping community organisations meet rising demand for emergency food assistance.

The combination of job creation, improved retail access and ongoing charitable partnerships makes the new supermarket an important addition to Bendigo's retail landscape, supporting both the local economy and community wellbeing.