creating social change via nutrition & cooking education

The Wholesome Collective (TWC) is a social enterprise addressing the complex social issue of poor nutrition and low home cooking rates in disadvantaged communties. We aim to work with the most vulnerable members of our community to create social change through empowerment and enablement. We teach essential life skills with a strong focus on cooking skills, budgeting and implementing nutrition recommendations to improve the physical and mental health of our clients.

“I have learnt to cook and I talk to Mum about healthy foods” – teen client from South Lake Youth Services.

“I am now giving more thought to meal preparation for my family. For example, adding more vegetables to each meal” – mother from a young parents group.

“My son is now more helpful in the kitchen. He is cooking from the book provided and is excited about what he serves to us” – mother of a teen client from South Lake Youth Services.

We are mobile, meaning we bring TWC to our clients in a van equipped with domestic cooking appliances and ingredients sourced from local supermarkets. We utilise onsite and community kitchens and presentation spaces, making the most of established community spaces, reducing our environmental footprint and ensuring that our clients can learn in a safe, and familiar environment.

We offer a range of nutrition and cooking services. Our four-session nutrition and cooking program is designed to offer very individualised and targeted education for a smaller group of clients. The small groups provide individual attention and help participants effectively learn in an interactive and non-threatening environment. This program recently received a prestigious Good Design Award Winner Accolade in the social impact category in recognition for outstanding design and innovation. The Good Design Awards Jury praised ‘Nutrition and Cooking Courses for Vulnerable Communities’ commenting:

“ The Jury applauds the Nutrition and Cooking Courses for Vulnerable Communities initiative for addressing an important and pressing social issue of dietary education and habits among vulnerable communities. ”

All hands-on cooking experiences and interactive education programs are delivered in a very relaxed and enjoyable way to assist with participant engagement and knowledge retention.

Founded by Accredited Practising Dietitian Kerryn Boogaard, and Home Economist Mary Wills, The Wholesome Collective un-complicates nutrition and helps vulnerable members of the community overcome barriers to cooking and eating well such as low incomes, low education levels, social isolation, mental health problems, limited family support and chronic medical conditions. We make healthy eating achievable and enjoyable. Scroll down to read more about our services offered.

how we can help

Our team is comprised of dietitians, home economists, a diabetes educator and an exercise scientist. We combine culinary skills and education with our expertise in nutrition, diabetes management, general health, chronic disease prevention and management, workplace wellness and exercise science.

We work with community service providers to tailor nutrition and cooking experiences to meet the needs of the target group. We also work with local businesses, sporting, private and corporate groups, by offering the following services:

NUTRITION AND COOKING PROGRAMS

NUTRITION AND COOKING PRESENTATIONS

NDIS IN-HOME NUTRITION AND COOKING CONSULTATIONS

WE WILL COME TO YOU

We are mobile, predominantly serving the Newcastle, Hunter Valley, Central Coast and Sydney areas. We have also provided services for drought and fire affected communities within the New England, Hunter and Mid North Coast area.