When Nagi Maehashi, the founder of Australia’s beloved recipe website RecipeTin Eats, looked beyond her successful blog in 2021, she saw a pressing need in her community.
Today, her vision has become an integral part of One Meal’s mission to feed vulnerable Northern Beaches residents, with her commercial kitchen producing over 500 meals daily for those in need.
“I believe nobody should go hungry,” says Nagi, whose RecipeTin Meals now operates from a commercial kitchen in Ryde, having produced more than a quarter of a million meals for Sydney’s hungry. “I started in 2021 during the pandemic, when there were increasing issues of hunger and food insecurity in the Sydney community.”
“Many have asked why I do RecipeTin Meals. The reason is simple: it makes me happy,” reveals Nagi in her latest cookbook, Tonight (already a bestseller). “RecipeTin Meals is the proudest achievement of my professional career and it’s what motivates me to keep working so I can continue to support RecipeTin Meals.”
But the story of food relief on the Northern Beaches goes beyond just meals. Operating from their Brookvale hub at 12 Powells Road, One Meal Northern Beaches has developed a comprehensive network of support services that reaches every corner of the peninsula.
The organisation runs weekly community meals across multiple locations, including Gilbert Park in Manly, Beverley Job Park in Narraweena, and specialised services at locations like ANZAC Village Narrabeen, where an open pantry serves local veterans. A mobile soup service ensures that rough sleepers can access hot, nutritious food.
Kim, a volunteer Area Manager, and Christine, a former Treasurer and cook, first met in 2018 at the community pantry at St Faith Anglican Church in Narrabeen.
Both had retired from successful careers: Chris, who was the Chief Accountant at Epson, and Kim, who worked at the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers, where he produced major live shows, including concerts by Pink Floyd and Madonna.
Above: Kim, volunteer Area Manager, and Christine, former Treasurer (now cook) are pivotal to One Meal’s operations.
When the church discontinued food relief services during Covid lockdowns to protect volunteers, Kim and Chris persisted, driven by their shared passion to help feed vulnerable people. “Too many people were depending on us, and I knew we could do well,” says Kim. “Nourishing food has a huge impact on mental health.”
“Covid gave us the opportunity to do more,” explains Chris. While other services closed, they began cooking and delivering meals, eventually forming Northern Beaches Community Co-Op. In 2021, they merged with One Meal after St Vincent’s de Paul offered the Brookvale warehouse space.
Just three years later, One Meal Northern Beaches provides 19,000 meal equivalents a week – that is, community meals, delivered hot meals, hampers of pantry staples, fresh fruit and vegetables, breakfast packs for school kids, and a mobile service for rough sleepers and those who might otherwise fall through the cracks of traditional support systems.
Now there are 198 home cooks, four teams of cooks in the warehouse, delivery drivers, ‘warehouse warriors’, and volunteers serving community meals, picking up food and helping on the myriad of admin tasks. We’re reaching people who face real barriers to accessing help,” explains Jen Lugsdin, a volunteer at One Meal. These include individuals with restricted mobility, those dealing with mental health challenges and families in crisis situations, including those fleeing family and domestic violence.
The operation’s success relies on its strong partnerships with over 17 local agencies, including Mission Australia, Community Care Northern Beaches, PCYC, and the Northern Beaches Women’s Shelter. These relationships ensure that help reaches those who need it most, when they need it most.
Nagi meeting volunteers and fans at a recent book signing event for Tonight, at the Brookvale warehouse.
Working alongside RecipeTin Meals’ professional chefs, local volunteers come together to support One Meal’s mission. The Brookvale hub operates from early morning, opening at 7 am Monday through Thursday, coordinating both preparation and distribution of food relief across the Beaches.
The impact is significant. Through the partnership with Nagi’s RecipeTin Meals, One Meal has expanded its capacity to serve the community. What started as a one-off Christmas meal service in Sydney’s Green Park in 2014 has grown into a vital community resource, with the Northern Beaches operation playing a crucial role in this network.
As Christmas approaches, One Meal Northern Beaches is ramping up its efforts through their One Hamper appeal, aiming to deliver approximately 5,000 Christmas hampers to families in need. This initiative offers community members two ways to get involved: either by filling a hamper personally or by donating $50 for volunteers to fill one on their behalf.
3000 Christmas hampers have already been filled this year, so the One Meal team had 2000 more boxes printed. Find out how you can help below.
“The beauty of One Hamper is that it gives our community a direct way to help those in need,” says Jen. “Whether you’re filling a box yourself or contributing funds, you’re making a real difference to someone’s Christmas.”
For those inspired to help, getting involved is straightforward. The organisation welcomes volunteers at their Brookvale hub and various service locations. Food donations can be made at designated collection points, and financial contributions help ensure the continuation of vital services. If you’re keen to cook meals, you can drop in and pick up produce and pantry staples.
From Nagi’s professional kitchen to the hands of dedicated volunteers, One Meal Northern Beaches demonstrates how community collaboration can create meaningful change. As the organisation continues to grow, it remains true to its core principles: 100% volunteer-run, 100% not-for-profit, and 100% community-focused.
To participate in the One Hamper Christmas appeal or learn more about volunteering opportunities, see below for more information or visit onemeal.org.au/hampers. With the holiday season fast approaching, there’s never been a better time to join this remarkable community of local legends.
Christmas Hamper Appeal
Register to get a box and fill it – Get an empty box along with a packing list and you fill the hamper. Return it to one of their many drop off locations.
Donate $50 to fill one hamper or buy more – You can donate $50 for a hamper and their volunteers will take care of it all. The more, the merrier!
Website: onemeal.org.au/hampers
One Meal Northern Beaches
12 Powells Road
(old Youth Reach building)
Brookvale, 2100
OPENING HOURS:
Monday 7:00am to 4:45pm,
Tuesday 7:00am to 11:00am 12:30pm to 3:00pm
Wednesday 7:00am to 11:00am 12:30pm to 4:45pm
Thursday 7:00am to 3:00pm
Closed Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Website: onemeal.org.au
