Three Melton Shire suburbs are among 12 diabetes "hot-spots", according to new research by the Australian Community Centre for Diabetes.

The centre found one in seven residents of the west have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, compared to the state average of one in 30. In Melton Shire, 15.6per cent of residents aged over 55 have type2 diabetes. A new case is diagnosed every day.

ACCD's suburb-by-suburb research of western Melbourne, released last week, showed the suburbs or townships of Melton, Burnside and Rockbank have among the highest rates of type 1, 2 and gestational diabetes in Melbourne's west. More than 6per cent of the population in each of those three suburbs has diabetes.

In a two-pronged approach, the council has mapped areas of the shire to find its "food deserts" - a food desert being where residents are more than 500 metres' walking distance from fresh food supply.

The council will next month begin a 'Melton Food Project', a three-month pilot project where surplus fresh food from supermarkets is collected and delivered to service providers - Melton Men's Shed, council's youth services programs and Combined Churches Caring Food Bank - which can teach residents about nutrition, food preparation and healthy eating.

Across Melton Shire there are about 5700 residents living in small township areas, including Diggers Rest, Rockbank, Toolern Vale, Exford and Eynesbury, who don't have local access to fresh fruit and vegetables.

The Food for All Program is looking at ways to increase access to fresh food in small townships.

Venita Mackinnon, Melton Council's community projects officer (food security), said chronic disease could not be cured overnight. "But we can reduce barriers to access nutritious food and physical activity and over time reduce diabetes."

The Food Project needs volunteers to help with collection/delivery of food. Call council on 97477200.