Cultivating Community

05/06/2026

Happy World Environment Day!

Did you know that every community and communal garden does more than just grow food?

Across Melbourne, residents in public and social housing communities are growing fresh produce, building friendships and creating beautiful green spaces that benefit everyone.

Our gardens help create greener neighbourhoods, support local wildlife and pollinators, reduce food waste and food miles, and bring people together to learn, share and connect.

So today we're celebrating all the staff, volunteers and community members who help make this possible.

Together, we're growing food, growing community and growing a healthier future.

29/05/2026

What a great way to finish another Culinary Employment Pathways program!

Over the past few months, participants have built kitchen skills, completed work experience placements, grown in confidence, and taken important steps towards employment.

One of our employer partners told us the group was "attentive, hardworking and showed initiative", arriving with a strong understanding of kitchen operations and a genuine enthusiasm for the work.

We're so proud of everything this cohort has achieved and grateful to the employers who opened their doors and supported their journey.

Congratulations to all our participants. We can't wait to see what comes next.

25/05/2026

When Yehansa arrived in Australia, she brought years of experience helping other people.

Back in Sri Lanka, she worked as a psychological counsellor. But starting over in a new country meant trying to find a new pathway into work and rebuilding confidence along the way.

Through Cultivating Community’s Employment Pathways program, she gained training, hands-on experience and support in a commercial kitchen environment.

Today, she’s working in aged care as a Support Worker, bringing compassion, dignity and care to the people she works with every day.

One thing she said really stayed with us: “Cooking for older people is not just about food, it’s about dignity, understanding and care.”

We’re really proud of Yehansa and the many others who’ve come through this program.

We’re also asking our community to help us continue this work, so more people can access meaningful pathways into employment, confidence and connection.

Watch Yehansa’s story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diNCJrhDyB4

If you’d like to support the program, you can donate here:
https://cultivatingcommunity.org.au/donate

When Yehansa arrived in Australia, she brought years of experience with her.She had worked as a psychological counsellor, supporting communities across Sri L...

18/05/2026

23/04/2026

There's just a month to go to The Victorian Food Policy Forum.

As the Federal Government develops the National Food Security Strategy, community organisations, producers, and frontline practitioners are once again at risk of being sidelined in favour of big agriculture, major retailers and the usual power players.

At a time where access, affordability and sustainability are under increasing pressure, forums like this matter and we're looking forward to contributing to the conversation.

Our Director of Innovation and Impact, Almari van der Merwe will join sector leaders to discuss the future of food systems across Victoria and what is and isn't working in the communities we work with.

It's a critical moment to come together to help turn frustrations into clear, collective policy asks for state and federal government. The Victoria Food Policy Forum is creating an invaluable space or the people who grow, distribute, support and care for our communities through food to come together, connect with others working in the space and help shape urgent policy changes.

Tickets are on sale now. There's still time to grab yours:

Join Victorian and national leaders to explore how the Feeding Australia Strategy can drive a united, systems-based approach to food security.

21/04/2026

You might have noticed we’re looking a little different 👀

With new colours, branding and a fresh website, our rebrand reflects how we’ve grown over time.
While our look has evolved, our purpose remains the same - community remains at the heart of what we do.

For more than 25 years, we’ve worked alongside communities across Melbourne to overcome economic, social and nutrition barriers through food, connection and opportunity.

🌱 Productive Gardens & Placemaking - we transform underused spaces into vibrant community gardens where people grow food, share culture and build connection - supporting wellbeing and belonging.

🥕 Food & Horticulture Education - from gardens to kitchens, we create hands-on learning experiences that build skills, confidence and knowledge across generations.

💼 Employment Pathways - we support people facing barriers to employment with training, mentoring and real-world experience - opening doors to meaningful work and greater stability.

🌿 Horticulture and Maintenance Services - our team designs, builds, and maintains high-quality gardens for schools, community spaces, and organisations. This work supports our programs and creates paid horticulture jobs.

Together, these programs create lasting impact - stronger communities, shared knowledge and real opportunities. Our new brand helps us reach further, but our focus stays the same: growing food, connection and opportunity.

A big thank you to our brand agency for all their hard work, passion and care.

26/03/2026

At Cultivating Community, culture grows in our gardens, kitchens and shared spaces every day.

Across our gardens and food programs, people from many different cultures come together to grow fresh food, share recipes and connect with their neighbours. From planting culturally significant crops to cooking and learning together, these spaces celebrate the traditions and knowledge that communities bring with them.

This Cultural Diversity Week, we celebrate the cultures, stories and experiences that enrich our communities and strengthen our sense of connection and belonging.

20/03/2026

We're delighted to properly introduce you to our new ceo Emma Watts.

You'll likely have already bumped into her at various events and conferences, but for anyone who hasn't yet had the pleasure...

Emma brings with her a wealth of experience in her 15-year career spanning the NFP, government and corporate sectors, including most recently at food rescue organisations SecondBite and FareShare.

As CEO, Emma will lead the charge to ensure we continue to deliver on our commitment to help the CALD, migrant and disability communities we serve in overcoming economic, social and nutrition barriers and ensure they have access to training and development to improve lifelong learning, education and increase employment opportunities.

Emma’s career has been shaped by a strong focus on connection, collaboration, and meaningful impact. She has led fundraising, communications, and engagement across a range of purpose-driven organisations, including national charities and community initiatives, helping them grow their reach and deepen their impact.

With a genuine commitment to creating positive social change, her experience makes her well placed to guide Cultivating Community into this next chapter with confidence and clarity.

06/03/2026

Great to see the focus on building strong communities alongside housing. Through our work with residents across social housing sites in Melbourne creating shared gardens, we see every day how these spaces become hubs for connection, fresh food and community wellbeing. It’s powerful what can happen when neighbours come together around something as simple as growing food. Thanks for highlighting the importance of this work! Homes Victoria and

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVeknFRjAng/?igsh=M2g2MzUxd2JlN2py

26/02/2026

Learn the art of authentic passata from the pros 🍅✨

Hands deep in tomatoes, guided by professional chefs, turning simple ingredients into pure Italian tradition.

Class will be held on 14 March and you'll learn how to turn end of season tomatoes into something delicious, perfect for pizza, pasta and more. Don't forget to bring your container to take some home.

Book now to avoid disappointment.

https://events.humanitix.com/savouring-the-seasons

Make the most of your summer & autumn produce with our series of Saturday workshops at Correa Kitchen!