For many students, learning about community services happens in the classroom. At Bendigo Senior Secondary College (BSSC), students are taking that learning a step further by exploring food insecurity through real-world experiences and practical action in partnership with Bendigo Foodshare.
Over the past year, students from a range of subjects and programs have connected with Bendigo Foodshare through cooking, fundraising, food drives, wellbeing activities and donations. Together, these activities have helped support people experiencing food insecurity while giving students valuable insight into the challenges facing their own community.
One of the most significant contributions came through our Cooking for Change program, where Netschool students, Year 11 and 12 Community Service students and Vocational Major (VM) Cooking and Nutrition students completed 10 workshops and prepared 826 meals for food relief programs across Central Victoria.
However, for teacher Maree, the value of the partnership extends well beyond the meals produced.
As part of their Year 12 VET Community Services studies, students explored the unit Work Within a Community Development Framework through an investigation into food insecurity as a community priority. Rather than viewing food insecurity simply as a lack of food, students examined the social, economic and environmental factors that can make it difficult for individuals and families to access safe, nutritious and culturally appropriate food.
Using community survey data, questionnaires and broader research, students investigated food insecurity at a community level and explored the role that organisations such as Bendigo Foodshare play in creating positive change through collaboration, education and community-based programs.
A key focus of the learning was understanding how community development principles are applied in practice. Students examined concepts such as participation, empowerment, equity, access, human rights and community capacity building, exploring how Bendigo Foodshare’s programs help people build skills, knowledge and confidence alongside addressing immediate needs.
According to Maree, this helped students develop a deeper understanding of what effective community services look like.
“The Cooking for Change program provided students with an authentic opportunity to experience community development principles in practice. By participating in the program, students developed their own food literacy skills while observing how community participation, shared learning and practical education can empower individuals experiencing food insecurity.”
“The experience reinforced that community services is not only about providing support, but also about working alongside communities to build capacity, encourage participation and create sustainable outcomes.”
The partnership didn’t stop with Cooking for Change.
VM Community Art students raised $1,040 through a school market day and invited Bendigo Foodshare to learn more about their project and its impact. VM Personal Development students organised a school food drive, while another group of students purchased and donated 86.9 kilograms of food to support local food relief efforts. Students also participated in warehouse visits and tours, gaining first-hand insight into food rescue and distribution.
During Wellbeing Week, Bendigo Foodshare joined a range of community organisations at the school to connect with students about food security, volunteering opportunities and sustainable food choices. Students were provided with resources, recipes, seeds and practical information to support healthy and sustainable lifestyles.
What makes the partnership with BSSC particularly special is that it demonstrates how food security can be explored across multiple learning areas. Whether students are researching community issues, preparing meals, fundraising, donating food or engaging with local organisations, they are building practical skills while contributing to positive outcomes for others.
For Bendigo Foodshare, these partnerships are about more than raising awareness of food insecurity. They help young people understand the complex challenges facing our community, while giving them opportunities to be part of the solution.
We would like to thank the staff and students at FB @Bendigo Senior Secondary College for their ongoing commitment to creating a more food-secure, connected and resilient community. Their enthusiasm, generosity and willingness to engage with real-world issues shows the powerful role young people can play in creating lasting change.
