WHO ARE WE?
Free to Feed is a (not-for-profit) social enterprise in Melbourne that empowers people from asylum seeking and from refugee backgrounds to overcome barriers to social and economic inclusion in Australia through training, employment and psycho-social support and the delivery of shared food experiences.
Our transformative program is delivered through trauma-informed practices, and includes accredited and pre-accredited training, welcoming employment experiences and wraparound wellbeing /social support.
Free to Feed encourages inclusive community attitudes, by inviting us all to explore the rich cuisines and cultures of newly arrived people. Our kitchens are stocked full of beautiful spices, we provide magical catering, and we host authentic community cooking classes and corporate cooking classes in Melbourne. We’re best known for our signature grazing tables.
Free to Feed was founded in late 2015 with the express purpose of assisting people seeking asylum to find meaningful employment opportunities using their existing skills and experiences and to facilitate community interconnectivity and break the stifling sense of social isolation experienced by new arrivals.
We run dynamic training, employment and professional development programs that are delivered by our team of experts.
We provide a nurturing and empowering work environment and build a strong and supportive community around each of our participants.
OUR IMPACT
Since 2015, we've distributed over $2.05 million in employment wages to people from asylum seeking and refugee backgrounds in the Melbourne community.
WAGES TO OUR PARTICIPANTS
PAID HOSPITALITY TRAINING HOURS
COOKING EXPERIENCES AND EVENTS
MEMBERS ENGAGED IN CULTURAL EXCHANGE
PAID LEADERSHIP TRAINING HOURS