Each week, throughout the City of Sydney, FDN assists up to 300 clients to prepare healthy and nutritious meals for themselves and their families. For many people, FDN is a healthier and more attractive option than other food services such as Meals on Wheels. The service allows people to remain in control of their food choices and to cook the food they like to eat.
An integral part of the local community, FDN has been operating for 28 years. Initially, a Food Cooperative bought fresh fruit and vegetables at wholesale prices and members packed the produce into boxes. Within its first year it had 150 members – people who were disadvantaged or on low incomes. Over the years, FDN secured government funding to support its services, and moved from a simple cooperative to an Incorporated Association in 1988. It is now funded predominantly through programs of the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing, and NSW Ageing, Disability and Home Care.
Earlier this year FDN moved from Ogden Lane in Redfern to Botany. The new premises at 11-13 Margate Street are larger and include a spacious cool room. New Manager, Peter Ince, brings a wealth of experience from the private and public sectors. A former “village bobby” in Yorkshire, Mr Ince has worked in management roles for David Jones and the Special Broadcasting Services (SBS). Most recently, he managed Sutherland Food Services (Meals on Wheels).
FDN relies on a skilled and dedicated group of staff and volunteers. The association employs seven staff. A dedicated group of 20-30 volunteers assists with sorting and packing the fruit and vegetables and loading boxes onto trucks for deliveries.
Volunteers are essential to the management, operations and wellbeing of FDN. The majority of its workforce comprises volunteers, including Management Committee members. Twice a week, each Tuesday and Thursday, a main group of volunteers meets at the Botany premises for unloading and packing of produce for deliveries, before enjoying a convivial community lunch with staff. Additional deliveries are made each Wednesday and Friday. FDN is currently seeking volunteers to assist in the packing process (see contact details below).
Prospective clients are encouraged to make contact by phone or email. “We’d love to hear from you,” Mr Ince says. “The assessment process is quite simple and takes about 15 minutes. We can organise weekly or fortnightly deliveries to your door, with a payment arrangement that suits you.” The highly motivated manager emphasises that FDN delivers more than just “goodness in a box”. “It’s about social contact and genuine care,” he says. “It’s about getting to know people and sharing helpful information.”
“We’re hoping to organise some cooking classes in the next few months to really promote healthy eating and nutrition”, Mr Ince says, before adding: “It really is a pleasure to come to work here.”
Project Workers, Nori and Jennifer, agree. It’s 9am and they are heading out on their six-hour Friday delivery run. Their joyful commitment to the task is plain to see.
