Helping others one jar at a time

Whether it’s passata, chutneys, jams or entire meals, the members have the recipes and are ready to serve their community.

This fortnightly gathering started with a group of women two years ago, before COVID-19, with the goal of chopping fruits and vegetables and making food to give to those less fortunate in the community.

“We give away some but we have a little stall at the front here and so we sell the products and generate some money to pay for the ingredients,“ said Jenny Stammers, Chop and Chat co-ordinator and Tatura Community House board member.

The initiative was put to a major test when it hit one of the most vulnerable times of the COVID-19 pandemic for Tatura, between August and November, 2021. A moment when cases were at their peak around the Goulburn Valley, and the town was effectively shut down.

The group expected to provide at least 500 meals, and it surpassed that — delivering 622 meals during that time.

“There was a period when everything was shut down, and people were locked in their houses really needing food,” Tatura Community House manager Leeane Bullard said.

The group also delivered food to other places near Tatura, including Dhurringile, Murchison, Merrigum and Byrneside.

“So places like Shepparton were very well catered for, but these smaller towns weren’t, so we responded,” Leeane said.

The group realised some smaller towns did not get delivery services from mainstream grocery stores like Coles or Woolworths.

“The program evolved from government priorities, community priorities, responding to community needs, so we’re quite into the environment and sustainability,” Leeane said.

The team always aims for its produce to be reused and recycled with sustainability at the forefront and aiming not to waste food.

“That's where the harvest trading table also started, where people could drop off excess produce and pick it up for nothing.”

But meals and resources still has a gap in the community.

“The food relief responds to a need in the community where people go without food,” Leeane said.

Bev Roberts is on the Tatura Community House committee and volunteers alongside the Chop and Chat, but works on making meals for people who need food on their tables.

“People can come pick up food whether they are in isolation, lockdown or those not doing too well — we've got food available every Friday,” she said.

“We discovered that there was a real need in the area.”

Bev is passionate about uniting with her community, and ensuring that people get what they need.

“I'm better off than other people, so we get out to the community and do what we can to help people.”

The Chop and Chat volunteers are women from various backgrounds, including many former teachers.

The room is often filled with laughter, as the women pass each other dishes to wash and throw tea towels across the kitchen to get their work done.

“There's the food aspect, but there's also the social and skill-building aspect as well,” Bev said.

“It's wonderful because these people are working together as a team, and they as well as me, we just get such satisfaction from helping people, that’s what we’re here for,” Leeane said.

Maureen Hunter enjoys the social aspect of the fortnightly gathering, as well as helping the community.

“It keeps me out of mischief, it is something to do,” she said with a chuckle.

“It's just helping people, and it's coming here and chatting with the girls, and it's a really nice environment.”

Whether it is an opportunity to spend time with others or learn new recipes, Chop and Chat members continue to work with the community, while encouraging sustainability.

“To help people out and build our community, and knowing that someone cares enough to do food relief or whatever they need,” Leeane said.