I don’t pretend to know nearly enough about the plight of refugees and asylum seekers across the world, but like many people I know, I want to help. I posted on Facebook a few days ago a great list of ways you can assist, from The Age: “Refugee crisis: how you can help refugees trying to reach safety in Europe and here in Australia“, and if you’re in Melbourne there’s plenty you can do, particularly since Victoria is home to the largest community of asylum seekers in Australia, most of whom live below the poverty line.
The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre is tireless in its effort to provide practical assistance to those seeking refuge, and their newest venture is one close to my heart – providing healthy food, heavily discounted, to asylum seekers in the local area, 90% of whom experience food insecurity, run out of food, and cannot afford to buy more. The Food Justice Truck stops at various points around the city each week, providing fresh produce at a discount of 75% for those seeking asylum, and competitive prices for those who are not.
The locally-sourced produce includes fresh fruit, vegetables, grains, legumes, Storm in a Teacup tea leaves, and fresh bread from Dench Bakers in Fitzroy. It is the world’s first retail model that enables the general public to invest in quality fresh food (with low carbon miles) for their family, while re-investing profits into affordable nutritious food for asylum seekers.
The truck is a petrol-electric hybrid and run by volunteers, effectively keeping overhead costs down. The unique social enterprise model also, improves the healthy eating habits of the community, promotes advocacy for asylum seekers and supports the environment – a really thoughtful way of meeting the needs of those in our society who are disadvantaged.
The truck can be found at the following locations every week:
- Every Tuesday, 3–6pm at Thomastown Primary School, Spring St, Thomastown. Enter via High Street or Stewart Street
- Every Wednesday from early September, 11:30am-2pm in front of Wesley Church Melbourne, 148 Lonsdale St
- Every Friday, 3–6pm at Footscray Primary School, cnr Geelong Rd and Barkly St.
The ASRC are also hoping to foster a neighbourhood feel around the Food Justice Truck, and in fact “encourage everyone to get to know each other, meet our volunteers and be part of the community”. You can also volunteer yourself by calling them on ASRC on (03) 9326 6066 or via email at foodjusticetruck@asrc.org.au.
If you’re not in the area, you can find out ways you can get involved by donating or other means here, and you can sign up to stay informed via the ASRC newsletter here.
I’m sure they’d be grateful for anything you could do.
Cate says
September 6, 2015 at 3:37 pmThe ASRC do amazing work, even though I’m now living in Berlin, I wrote a little recipe ebook Australian Classics Veganised and 50c from each sale is donated to the ASRC 🙂 https://sellfy.com/p/2sEt
Veggie Mama says
September 6, 2015 at 5:29 pmCate, that’s amazing! I’ll have to get it. Thanks for sharing! (Ps how is Berlin? Do you enjoy it?)
Cate says
September 6, 2015 at 6:00 pmHey Stacey, yeah Berlin is great for quality of life. My deutsch is not brilliant as it’s much harder to learn it here as so many people speak to you in English compared to Leipzig! I do a little vegan catering, cooking classes and I’ll looking at launching a line of vegan cheeses. Fingers crossed!
Veggie Mama says
September 6, 2015 at 6:28 pmIs it easy to eat vegan over there? I’m totally into the idea of vegan cheese…
Cate says
September 6, 2015 at 6:43 pmyeah it’s very easy in Berlin, lots of items at the supermarket and the big Veganz and Biomarkt chains plus lots of vegan restaurants. If you are further out in the rural areas, not so easy. I’m not 100% or anything but i love cooking vegan because it’s a very inclusive way of eating for people with dietary restrictions, food allergies and preferences etc.
Veggie Mama says
September 7, 2015 at 12:09 pmYes, great point! And I just bought your book! Now to visit Germany…
Cate says
September 7, 2015 at 4:31 pmaww thanks so much! The book was my first, my photos have got much improved since then (especially by not taking pics in a German winter hehe)
sammie@theannoyedthyroid.com says
September 7, 2015 at 7:35 amI wish there was something like this in Sydney but I do have a friend who has contacts with a refugee centre where they do a pot luck lunch, so I’m going to try and get involved in that. Every little bit helps right?
Veggie Mama says
September 7, 2015 at 12:07 pmI think if nobody did the little things, we wouldn’t get far x
The Plumbette says
September 7, 2015 at 10:59 amI’ve felt a little helpless, wanting to do something but not sure what. I donated to oxfam but I wish there was something practical like this that I could support each week. I will do some research to find out what is in qld that we can support up here. X
Veggie Mama says
September 7, 2015 at 12:07 pmThat’s such a good idea! I think it really drives it home when you’re working physically with the people who need help.