There were lots of smiles on Monday 20 June as we gathered at Hoo-gah to celebrate the end of our first ever Café for a Day program!
Forty participants, family members and project partners enjoyed a delicious meal made by students from Bendigo Flexible Learning Options and program chefs Gina, Jason, Leigh and Paw Kee!

Over five sessions from April-June, Café for a Day has given young people the chance to pick up hands-on experience working in a café alongside local chefs, learning about healthy eating, gaining valuable workplace skills and contributing to their community. Fifteen young people took part in the program, and over 130 people purchased lunch made throughout the program. Profits from the meal sales were donated to local charities.

We’re looking forward to sharing more about the outcomes of this pilot project over the coming weeks, but for now, a MASSIVE thank you to everyone that’s been part of it in so many ways – from way back last year when the concept was developed.
From our participants, to our chefs, collaborating organisations, funder Healthy Heart of Victoria and schools, this has been a great example of coming together to achieve something we’re confident is going to have a lasting impact for the young people involved – and the broader community. We hope this is just the start.
Our project partners: