From the Source: Empowering Young People Through Food

A new 18-week food literacy program will empower Border youth by providing essential life skills through hands-on learning and community engagement.

From the Source is crafted especially for at-risk youth, emphasising education and skill-building.

Based at Windbreak3690 community youth space and Close Collective Café, the program is designed to support young people aged 15–21.

From The Source was developed by Junction Support Services in response to a growing need for alternative education pathways for young people who struggle in mainstream settings.

“From the Source not only teaches — it transforms. It’s a bridge between lived experience and future opportunity, especially for young people who feel left behind by traditional systems,” says Rikki Whittaker, Junction’s Windbreak and Youth Training Programs Coordinator.

“From the Source offers a warm and welcoming environment where participants can develop essential life skills while exploring local food systems.”

Rikki and Junction Support Services’ Social Enterprise and Youth Pathways Manager, David Kapay collaborated closely with Border and North East food producers to create a hands-on practical course, centred on self-efficacy and connection.

“Food is a universal language. When young people learn to cook, they’re not just feeding themselves, they’re discovering their potential,” David says.

“It’s a joy to help these young people connect with their local community and uncover what they’re capable of.”

From the Source takes a ‘paddock to plate’ approach, guiding participants through every step of the food journey.

Students will learn where their food comes from and how to prepare and plate local produce in an affordable and nutritious way.

During the course, participants will visit or learn from almost two dozen diverse food sector businesses, including bakeries, butcheries, organic farmers, cheese makers, grocery retailers, hospitality services, international food importers and more.

“Programs like From the Source are essential. We’ve always believed that good food is more than just fuel; it’s a way to connect, to heal, and to grow,” says Clint Hall from Almar Organics.

“Supporting young people to understand where their food comes from and how to nourish themselves is something we’re proud to be part of.”

From the Source will be delivered across four main domains: food planning and management, food selection, food handling and meal preparation, and nutritional eating.

The 18-week program will take participants through six key modules/food groups to explore:

Meat
Dairy
Wheat and bakery
Fruit and vegetables
Fish and seafood
Sweets and cakes

Lessons focus on outreach, relationship building and engagement with diverse communities to reshape food literacy through exposure to local produce.

David, an award-winning Wodonga chef and restaurateur, saw the life-changing power of food and cooking while working with Jamie Oliver at Fifteen London.

Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen foundation trained disadvantaged youth, including those living with addiction challenges, the unemployed, and those experiencing homelessness.

Many Fifteen alumni went on to work at leading English restaurants, and offering a similar training pathway in Wodonga has been a long-term goal for David.

“From the Source will reignite the passion for food and cooking among young people, and if I can inspire at least one young person a day, I will be making a huge impact on the industry over the next decade,” says David.

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