On Monday, 9th September, the Year 10 VM class embarked on a rewarding excursion to Fareshare, located in Abbotsford, for an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of people struggling to put food on the table. Fareshare is a food charity that rescues surplus ingredients to cook nutritious meals for those in need. For our class, this was more than just an excursion—it was a chance to contribute directly to our community and to learn firsthand about the power of collective action in fighting food insecurity.
When we arrived at Fareshare, we were immediately put to work in the kitchen. Despite being a little nervous at first, our team quickly settled into a rhythm, and the results were nothing short of impressive. By the end of the day, we had assembled, prepped, and cooked a staggering amount of food, ensuring that hundreds of people would be fed.
Here’s a rundown of what we achieved during our day at Fareshare:
- Assembled 770 Chinese beef casserole and rice meals: Working in small groups, we carefully portioned out the meals that would later be packaged and delivered to those in need.
- Prepared open ravioli for 800 meals: We managed to put together enough ravioli to serve 800 people.
- Cut 80kg of broccoli, 60kg of courgette, 50kg of aubergine, and 1kg of yellow squash: We quickly realised just how much work goes into food prep on such a large scale. Chopping and dicing mountains of vegetables was hard work, but it felt good to know that every bit we chopped was going towards a nutritious meal.
- Trayed up 120 chickens: Handling the chickens took patience and precision. We learned about food safety and proper kitchen procedures, ensuring that each portion was trayed up perfectly for future meals.
- Folded tea towels and cleaned the kitchen: After all the cooking was done, we cleaned and reset the kitchen for the next group of volunteers. From scrubbing surfaces to folding tea towels, every detail mattered in ensuring the kitchen stayed hygienic and ready for the next wave of meal preparation.
One of the best parts of the day was the sense of camaraderie we felt as a class. Whether we were chopping veg, packaging meals, or cleaning up, we worked together smoothly and supported each other throughout the day. The hands-on nature of the experience really helped us to appreciate the effort it takes to run an organisation like Fareshare, which produces over 1.2 million meals each year for people experiencing food insecurity.
Beyond the practical skills we gained, the day also left us with a deeper understanding of the importance of giving back. Seeing how much food we prepared—and knowing it would go directly to people who desperately need it—was incredibly fulfilling. It’s easy to take something like a warm meal for granted, but our time at Fareshare reminded us of how many people struggle just to get by.
We owe a big thank you to Mr Rogers, who organised the excursion and made it possible for us to have such an impactful experience. We left feeling proud of what we’d accomplished and motivated to continue finding ways to help those in need. The experience taught us that even small efforts can have a big impact when we come together for a greater good.
Timmy B & Bailey R
Year 10VM Students
