FREE TO FEED

 

  

A question on the wall greets you as you enter Free To Feed in Melbourne's Fitzroy North, 'What dish reminds you of home?', a nod to the feeling that comes with sharing the flavours, fragrances and stories of your favourite meal from home.

This year, the ELK Family shared an amazing lunch at not-for-profit social enterprise, Free To Feed, an incredible experience that exemplified our festive season theme, the Gift of Giving. 

 

L - The Free To Feed event space 

R - Co-Founder, Marnie Goding adding the finishing details.

  

A social enterprise founded in 2015, Free to Feed was founded with the purpose of assisting people seeking asylum to find meaningful employment opportunities. A transformative program, the team's considered approach includes accredited and pre-accredited training, welcoming employment experiences and wrap-around wellbeing and social support. They acknowledge the feelings of freedom and safety in Australia are not simply about being safe from harm but need to be built from opportunities to create a stable livelihood and to be valued and recognised in our society.

 

Free to Feed encourages inclusive community attitudes, by inviting us all to explore the rich cuisines and cultures of newly arrived people. Their kitchens are stocked full of beautiful spices ready to host authentic food experiences, delicious catering and signature grazing tables.

L - Free To Feed Catering Chef Yuliia prepares entrees R - Free To Feed Catering Chefs Yuliia and Halima prepare the table

BOTTOM L - Free To Feed Catering Chef Yuliia joined us at our festive lunch  BOTTOM R - Free To Feed Cooking Instructor Akram joined us at our festive lunch

Through our shared value to facilitate community interconnectivity, The ELK and Free to Feed Teams came together to enjoy a festive lunch filled of fragrant salads, share plates and perfectly spiced salmon. We mingled and shared laughs, stories and plans for the festive season as we spread out in the earthy Free To Feed venue, the perfect space to celebrate and take time to enjoy the Gift Of Giving.

L - Grain salad with confit onions, fresh parsley, mint, currants and toasted seeds

R - Persian fish with caramelised onions, tamarind and barberries

Since 2015, Free to Feed has distributed $1 million in employee wages to people seeking asylum and refugees in the Melbourne community. Relying on a combination of trading revenue and donations, Free to Feed is able to invest back into its program, with a focus on providing access to critical social & mental health support, training & development opportunities, and safe spaces for cultural exchange & empowerment for its participants. 
Throughout this festive season, we look forward to sharing more about this impressive social enterprise through storytelling, recipes and giving ideas.

 

 

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