Food, Glorious Food

Food, Glorious Food

What an amazing day of fun, laughter and learning, plus hard work planting trees and shovelling dirt at our recent Volunteer Day in September with Food For Change (FFC). Anna Ham, FFC’s IGA Partnerships and Volunteer Leader was an excellent host, keeping us busy and engaged, and most importantly, ensuring our planting rows were straight.

How did we get involved?

In Gembridge’s early days, a seed was planted to find a charity partner. During COVID lockdowns, we connected with Matt Donovan, Founder & CEO of Food For Change initially via ZOOM, and he invited us out to Briars, Mornington Peninsula to see the action and help plant the orchard and production rows. From here, it’s been a fruitful and rewarding experience, and our relationship has grown organically (pardon the pun).

Apart from the fun, teamwork, and being outside in nature, we have learned so much about homelessness and food insecurity, plus picked up a few gardening tips.

Food For Change resonates with us. At Gembridge, we are all “foodies” and committed to making the world a better place. Although completely different, we share similarities…

  • Small but mighty

  • Partner with For Purpose organisations

  • Growing and expanding in Australia

Food For Change’s mission - TO HELP ALLEVIATE FOOD INSECURITY IN AUSTRALIA

Founded in 2016, Food For Change has made a positive impact on the lives of many. With the help of our volunteers, we are working towards a future where no person needs to go without food. 

The mission of Food for Change is to “Help Alleviate Food Insecurity” and they do it in a unique way. Firstly, Food For Change uses existing unused land and an army of volunteers to grow fresh nutritious fruit, vegetables, and herbs. Secondly, the organisation also “rescues” food locally, connecting local food donors with local food relief organisations to not only maximise the amount of food rescued, but also keep it in the community. All the food that is grown and rescued is then donated to support already-existing food relief agencies of various sizes, and by utilising existing infrastructure Food for Change keeps costs extremely low to allow for more food to serve those in need.

Of course, you can also get involved. Learn more HERE about their Monthly Food Box subscription, Donating or Volunteering.