Bendigo Foodshare recently celebrated the launch of a new video showcasing the impact of our Cooking for Change program and the incredible young people, teachers and partners who have helped bring it to life.
At special screenings held at Eaglehawk Primary School and Bendigo TAFE, students had the opportunity to see themselves on screen, sharing their experiences and reflecting on what they have learnt through the program.
While the video highlights practical cooking skills and healthy food, it also tells a much bigger story. It is a story about confidence, connection, community and the power of young people to create positive change.
Since launching in 2021, Cooking for Change has engaged more than 800 students across Central Victoria and delivered over 116 sessions. Together, participants have prepared more than 4,000 meals that have been shared with people in our community experiencing food insecurity.
This year has been our biggest yet. Over the past 12 months alone, 55 sessions have been delivered across schools in Bendigo and Castlemaine, with the program also expanding into Echuca through a Train-the-Trainer model that enables local organisations to deliver Cooking for Change in their own communities.
What makes Cooking for Change so special is that students are not only learning valuable life skills, they are also learning the importance of community, generosity and helping others. For many students, the program is their first experience preparing meals from scratch, trying new foods or understanding how food can be used as a tool for connection and care. Through hands-on learning, they build confidence in the kitchen while seeing firsthand the impact they can have on the lives of others.
At Bendigo Foodshare, we believe food is about much more than what is on a plate. Food brings people together, creates opportunities for learning and helps build stronger, healthier communities. Cooking for Change embodies that belief in every session.
This program would not be possible without the support of our schools, teachers, funding partners and community organisations who continue to invest in young people and their potential.
We would like to thank Bendigo Community Health Services, the City of Greater Bendigo, Healthy Loddon Campaspe, Mount Alexander Shire Council and Campaspe Shire Council for their ongoing support of the program.
Most importantly, we want to thank the students. The young people who have taken part in Cooking for Change have shown enthusiasm, compassion and a genuine desire to make a difference. They are proof that positive change can start with something as simple as sharing a meal.
