Responding to our communities food needs
Join our community buyers group to access fortnightly fresh produce.
Supporting our communities nutrition needs by working together
for 1-2 people
for 3-4 people
for 4-5 people
Report Overview
This report explores the impact of the Community Supported Fresh Produce Program as both a food access initiative and a platform for community connection and health promotion.
It draws on direct engagement with participants, observations of the program in operation, and applied nutrition knowledge to assess how the program supports food security, builds confidence with fresh produce, and creates opportunities for social connection.
The report also identifies practical opportunities to strengthen the program through improved access to nutrition information, simple resources, and partnerships with local health services.
Key Findings
Food Access
Improves access to fresh, seasonal produce at low cost
Supports individuals and households experiencing financial pressure
Community Connection
Creates regular opportunities for social interaction
Encourages participation and a sense of belonging
Food Literacy
Builds confidence in preparing and using fresh produce
Supports simple, practical cooking skills
Resources
High value placed on simple, clear recipe and nutrition materials
Demand for ongoing, accessible food education
Opportunities
Expand partnerships with health and community services
Continue developing practical, low-barrier nutrition resources
Community-Centred Approaches to Addressing Food Insecurity: Improving and Expanding Wardell Neighbourhood Centre’s Community Supported Fresh Produce Program
Student Research and Report : By Chiara Bertasso & Jessica Lantzke Nutrition & Dietetics Students from The University of Sydney on placement with The University Centre for Rural Health, 2026.
Big thanks to Chiara and Jess for their contribution during their 2025 student placement with the Wardell Neighbourhood Centre.
They supported day-to-day operations, contributed to our food relief programs, and engaged well with volunteers and community members. Their report was developed to assess the impact of the program and identify opportunities to strengthen and expand its reach within the community, while also providing practical insights to support its ongoing development.
The team also provided us with a number of practical resources including recipe cards, seasonal eating guides, and simple nutrition information for cooking on a budget. They also delivered a well-attended pickling workshop.
Community Supported Fresh Produce Program Impact Survey
After two years of delivering our Community Supported Fresh Produce Program we're thrilled to have partnered with Caren and Xavier—Nutrition and Dietetics students from Griffith University—to evaluate the program and gain valuable insights into its impact. With support from the University Centre for Rural Health, this eight-week, student-led project explored how our program is improving food security, dietary habits, and overall wellbeing across Wardell, Broadwater, and Woodburn.
In the wake of the 2022 floods and amidst growing cost-of-living pressures, food insecurity has become a persistent challenge in our region. The Community Supported Fresh Produce Program was developed in direct response—providing affordable, nutritious produce boxes to local residents while prioritising dignity, inclusion, and community connection.
The evaluation used a mixed-methods approach, including a community survey with 76 respondents (87% response rate), eight in-depth case study interviews, and the development of nutrition education resources like recipe cards.
📊 What We Found:
70% of participants reported eating more fruit and vegetables since joining the program.
Many noted improvements in their overall health and reduced financial stress.
The program has helped save the community over $75,000 in grocery costs to date.
However, 48% of respondents still experience food insecurity, including 8% who are severely food insecure.
Barriers such as rising food prices, limited supermarket access, and transport challenges were frequently cited. The evaluation also revealed limited awareness of our complementary services, such as free frozen meals for families.
This evaluation reinforces the critical role that the program plays in supporting food access and holistic wellbeing in our region—and highlights opportunities to deepen and expand our impact.
We're incredibly proud of this work and excited about the next steps. If you're interested in supporting or partnering on the next phase of this project—including our planned expansion into Ballina—we’d love to hear from you.
📥 Get in touch or request the full evaluation report at hello@wardellcore.community
We are pleased to present our 2023 food resilience programs impact report.
This overview captures insights from our four primary food access and support programs, data from feedback surveys and an overview of these important programs in delivering not only food relief, but a range of health and wellbeing outcomes.
Eat Well Wardell - Food relief
Social Eating - Mental health and wellbeing
Grow Well Wardell - Therapeutic Horticulture
Budget Bites - food literacy and education
Our goal for 2024 is to build a greater understanding of our communities food relief needs and the benefits of these programs through a series of case studies. We will also continue to offer this diverse and dynamic suite of programs to alleviate food insecurity, support community health and build food resilience for our region.
Produce bags
Fortnightly ordering - reduced cost fresh produce available for pickup at Wardell CORE
Pantry bags
Reduced cost groceries and pantry staples available daily.
Drop in to Wardell CORE Tuesday - Saturday
Heat and eat meals
FareShare offer us a range of tasty, nutritionally-balanced meals that address the storage and infrastructure challenges often faced by people who experience food insecurity.
Community Social Night
We offer a weekly hot meal and community social event for our region and provide an evening of amazing wood fire pizza prepared and baked by our volunteer team.
Join in Fridays from 5:30-7:30 at Wardell CORE.
Local Produce
When life gives you lemons… drop them into the community hub to share ! We support and distribute a wide range of seasonal community grown produce.
Grow Well Wardell
Check out the rang of food resilience and back yard gardening projects we have on offer, from workshops, working bees, field trips and crop swaps.
COMMUNITY SKILL SHARING
Join Song Yan for a community skills sharing event and continue to experience Chinese cooking and culture, preparation and traditional cooking techniques.
We had a fabulous time learning dumpling making with Song Yan and we look forward to continuing to learn more skills and explore this traditional meal
Sunday July 13 from 10 till 12
Register your spot :
Budget Bites!
Lets Make Sauerkraut workshop coming up
Join us Thursday 4th of July for an introduction to fermenting foods at home.
Fermented foods offer great nutritional value and are exceptionally good for supporting gut and mental health.
Sauerkraut and Kimchi are widely popular throughout the world and the perfect introduction for anyone interested to learn more about preserving garden produce and seasonal abundance at home. This time of the year is the perfect time to benefit from the wide availability and price of cabbage season.
Fermented foods need much less space and equipment than many people think and do not require a high level of expertise.
Join us to run the basics, understand the needs and mechanism of the Lacto-fermentation process, explore how to make simple Krauts and variations to suit your pallet. Everyone will leave with a jar of Kraut and the know-how to make their own at home.
We will be joined by the team from Northern Rivers Local Health District to also discuss the fabulous Get Healthy Service and how you can access this free health coaching program.
COMMUNITY SKILL SHARING
Join Song Yan for a community skills sharing event, experience Chinese cooking and culture, preparation and hand made dumpling techniques
Sunday March 24 from 10 till 12
Register your spot :
Eat Well Spend Less : Cooking demonstration and dinner with The Wellness Collective
Nutrition & Cooking Presentation
We were join by experts Kerryn (Practicing Dietitian) and Mary (Home Economist) from The Wholesome Collective for a live (and fun) nutrition and cooking presentation which included a delicious meal, cooking tips for preparing meals on a budget, and a relaxed conversation around improving mental and physical health.
All participants received a FREE copy of The Wholesome Collective’s nutrition and cookbook and a magnetic reusable meal planner. This was a great opportunity for anyone keen to learn how to make a grocery budget stretch a little further without having to compromise on health.
Huge thanks for the support of Northern Rivers Community Foundation.
Food insecurity isn’t just about going hungry. It occurs when a person has worried about running out of food. It’s much more common than you think.
We know that the rising costs of living, ongoing financial hardship and challenges of disaster recovery mean that many people are experiencing this type of food insecurity in our region.
We offer a range of supported food access options for through partnerships with charities and business and by working together with our community.
Our commitment is to :
improve access to fresh and staple foods in our community
provide choice and autonomy
build social connection and support
create opportunities for reciprocity
ensure that our services are trauma informed
enable our community to be nourished
Further reading and related resources
Understanding food insecurity in Australia
This CFCA practice paper and its companion practice guide, Identifying and Responding to Food Insecurity in Australia, describe the prevalence, experience and impact of food insecurity in Australia, identifying the populations most at risk and exploring various responses.Responding to food relief need
The Australian Institute of Family Service and Child Family Community Australia explore “Why do people need food relief” and “What are Australians’ experiences of accessing food relief” and the need for food and food-based solutions that are client-focused, dignified, nutritious, sustainable and equitable.
Australian Council of Social Services (ACOSS). (2020). 'I can finally eat fresh fruit and vegetables': A survey of 955 people receiving the new rate of JobSeeker and other allowances [Press release]. Strawberry Hills, NSW: ACOSS. Retrieved from www.acoss.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/ 200624-I-Can-Finally-Eat-Fresh-Fruit-And-Vegetables-ResultsOf-The-Coronavirus.pdf
Creating Community Food Security through Neighbourhood Houses 2021 FINAL with funding recommendations for the future. NHT summary from surveying Neighbourhood Houses about their Food Security related activities.
