Cooking up confidence and connection at Eaglehawk Community House
Sometimes the biggest lessons begin with the smallest hands. At Eaglehawk Community House, children and their families rolled up their sleeves, tried new foods and discovered the joy of preparing meals together through Plate it Up Families.
From the moment Oscar the house cat greeted them, families found a welcoming space to learn, laugh and connect after a busy school term. The program brought food literacy to life through playful, practical activities designed to help families build skills and confidence they can use at home.
There was plenty of excitement around the smoothie bike, where families became “banana buddies” and pedalled their way to a freshly blended drink. Children explored the colours of fruit and vegetables and learned how different foods help their bodies grow and thrive. Even handwashing became an adventure, with the Glitterbug activity showing why clean hands and safe food handling matter.
In the kitchen, the learning became even more hands-on. Guided by volunteer chefs Gina Triolo and Noelene Walton, children practiced cutting, grating, weighing and measuring as they prepared dishes like homemade gnocchi and salad. For many, the reward was more than a meal: it was the pride of making something themselves and the confidence to taste something new.
As one five-year-old participant put it: “It tastes better if I make it myself.”
Alongside the cooking, families explored everyday food choices, the core food groups and how to read Nutrition Information Panels. Conversations also touched on the ways food availability and marketing can influence what ends up in our shopping baskets. The focus was on building knowledge and making informed choices that suit each family, without judgement.
Practical tips for organising and storing food showed how small changes can help groceries go further, reduce waste and support food safety. These are skills that matter when families are balancing busy schedules and household budgets.
Just as importantly, the sessions created space for families to share their own food stories: treasured recipes from their parents’ childhood, vegetables grown at home and dishes connected to celebrations, culture and memories. These conversations were a reminder that food is about much more than nutrition. It is also about identity, belonging and time spent together.
By the end of the program, children had not only prepared and tasted food; they had practised independence, worked alongside their parents and carers, and discovered that learning in the kitchen can be fun. Plate it Up Families is about helping families feel more confident to cook, make informed food choices and enjoy nutritious, affordable food together.
Plate it Up Families is funded by the City of Greater Bendigo and Plate it Up Food Literacy. Thank you to Tracey and the team at Eaglehawk Community House for creating such a welcoming space, and to the volunteers and families who made the sessions so special.
Next stop: Plate it Up Families at Kangaroo Flat Community House during the summer school holidays. Follow Plate it Up Food Literacy for updates https://plateitup.org.au/
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