Creating community connections and confidence
As cost-of-living pressures bite, NEST is an evidence-based health program that improves food security and wellbeing by meeting people where they are – building kitchen confidence, healthier habits, and real human connection.
Demand is growing, and so is our reach, our teams across the country taught over 2,000 participants across 151 charities nationwide.
We deepened collaboration with OzHarvest food rescue teams, delivering more programs at charities already receiving rescued food, turning immediate relief into life skills and helping communities turn short-term support into lasting food security outcomes.
The team developed best practice guidelines to ensure NEST is culturally safe and relevant for First Nations communities, culturally diverse groups, and people facing homelessness, incarceration, or substance use challenges.
How NEST gave Kim her independence back.
For years, Kim needed someone to take her places. Bad knees. Limited English. A world that didn’t always make it easy to be heard. Living alone in Cabramatta.
Then she joined OzHarvest’s NEST program. To learn a few recipes. Maybe meet some people. What she found was something bigger.
Today, Kim tells her own story, in English, in her own words, because she’s earned that confidence. She walks to her own appointments. She’s making food choices that nourish her.
This is testament to the power of NEST – where people find connection, confidence and community wrapped up in a cooking program.