RecipeTin Meals (RTM) is my food bank where we make meals that are donated to vulnerable communities in Sydney. I’m proud to say that we now make 100,000 meals annually – plus desserts! This is our small contribution to play our part giving back, doing what we know best – making delicious, nutritious homemade food.
Because no one should go hungry. – Nagi & Dozer x ❤️
About RecipeTin Meals video
Here’s a great segment that provides an overview about what we do at RTM that aired on Channel 7’s Weekend Sunrise on 24 September 2023:
Who we are
RecipeTin Meals is a not-for-profit division of RecipeTin Eats launched in 2021. We are committed to playing a part in addressing issues of hunger and food insecurity by providing support for struggling, vulnerable and disadvantaged members of the Sydney community.
What we do
We produce free, reheatable meals five days a week for distribution in Sydney to those in need.
Delicious and nourishing meals are cooked fresh by full-time, professionally-qualified RecipeTin Meals kitchen staff at a dedicated facility we run in Potts Point.
With help from the incredible folks at One Meal, prepared meals are distributed across the Northern Beaches and at CBD sites.
Why I started RecipeTin Meals
Food insecurity and hunger are widespread and urgent global issues. What we probably don’t realise here in the “Lucky Country” is that these problems also exist right here under our noses.
Every day four million Australians suffer hunger in some form, including 1 in 5 children. The problem of food insecurity is especially endemic amongst women, Indigenous Australians and remote communities.
The COVID-19 pandemic only exacerbated the problem, with more people in Australia than ever needing food support.
It’s always been an important goal for me to launch a philanthropic initiative one day, to give back to the community and help those in need. 2021 was the year I was able to finally realise this goal and establish my own not-for-profit service.
I believe nobody should go hungry in this day and age. I want to make a difference, and I feel it made sense to do it in the way I know best: through cooking and food-related work!
In August 2021, the RecipeTin Eats team established a permanent kitchen facility for RecipeTin Meals food production in Kings Cross. We recruited full-time, paid professionals to staff the kitchen and cook free meals for distribution across Sydney to those needing food assistance.
Meet the RTM team!
I have 3 professional chefs/cooks who work full time at the RTM kitchen. There’s Chef Stephen, otherwise known as the Sourdough King. Chef Hannah, who makes the best Sichuan food in Sydney. And Dan The Man, the King of Fantasy Football!
The RTM team is managed by Chef JB who works alongside me at RTE. I need a professional to run the kitchen for me – I have no experience running commercial kitchens!
And everybody reports to the Big, Big Boss:
(Who has never been in to the RTM kitchen because we are subject to very strict health regulations!)
The meals we make
All our meals are nutritious, delicious and produced with the utmost care. We cook from scratch with fresh and natural ingredients – even our own stocks and bases! – to ensure the highest quality product.
Our menu changes regularly, and many of the dishes we cook are reader-favourite recipes you’ll find right here on the RecipeTin Eats website! See the Top 10 recipes we make.
We use environmentally-friendly eco-containers for meals that are fully compostable, and recyclable container lids. All packaging is oven and microwave-safe as most of the meals are designed to be frozen and re-heated.
Distribution of our meals
We have partnered with One Meal, a respected Sydney-based not-for-profit who offer a broad range of social support and food relief services across the city, to handle distribution.
Meals produced by RecipeTin Meals are delivered to One Meal, whose network of volunteers then take the food directly to families and people who need them. There are also regular One Meal food service sites such as in Sydney City, where fresh meals are served on location.
Number of meals we produce
RecipeTin Meals is currently producing 100,000 meals annually, plus desserts! We provide meals 5 days a week, including public holidays such as Christmas. The need for nourishing food doesn’t stop just because it’s a public holiday!
Between Monday and Thursday 1,600 meals are delivered throughout the Northern Beaches. On weekends another 400 meals are distributed via One Meal food service sites in the CBD where hot food is served directly to clients who can eat it there, as well as reheatable packaged meals that can be taken home.
WHO FUNDS RECIPETIN MEALS?
RecipeTin Meals is privately and fully funded out of Dozer’s treat budget. (That’s a cute way of saying that the commercial side of RecipeTin Eats is how we fund RecipeTin Meals! 🙂)
How you can help
At present we are unfortunately unable to accept donations, volunteers or fundraising assistance. But rest assured we’re already looking at ways generous people like you can contribute in the future. Look out for updates on our Instagram and our Facebook page!
Meanwhile, you can support RecipeTin Meals simply by browsing and enjoying recipes on this website! Revenue raised from visitor traffic to RecipeTin Eats provides the funds that makes RecipeTin Meals possible. Website clicks pay for meals, so spread the word!
Contact
If you have any questions or would like to get in touch, please email us at hello@recipetinmeals.org.au.
