Meals With Impact’s 100 Women Project will train and support as many migrant and refugee women as we can fund, with the goal of training 100 women over 24 months. Through a 10-week work-integrated training program, participants gain practical skills in food manufacturing, digital literacy, and workplace communication, along with coaching, food safety certification, and the option to gain RSA certification. Using hands-on learning, role-play, interview practice, and small-group support, the program builds the confidence, resilience, and job readiness needed to succeed in the local workforce. The project aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals, including:
Goals 1 & 2: No Poverty and Zero Hunger – Our social enterprise regularly donates meals to local charities. Food insecurity is a major issue in migrant communities, and our culturally diverse meals are valued for being respectful and inclusive.
Goal 5: Gender Equality & Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – Our training program helps migrant and refugee women build confidence and pursue paid work. Access to employment and economic independence is key to advancing gender equality.
Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – Supporting women also strengthens their communities and helps create a better future for the next generation.
Goal 17: Partnerships to Achieve the Goal – Working with corporate partners from pre-screening to employment creates opportunities to tailor training delivery and materials to
This project helps women overcome barriers to employment while also addressing workforce shortages in the hospitality sector. For women completing the training, we expect 100% to receive Food Safety Certification. We also expect 80% of participants to move into paid employment within six months. The project will increase diversity in Melbourne’s hospitality sector and strengthen participants’ long-term financial security.
We will measure employment outcomes through a register that tracks job placement and retention at three and six months. In addition, we will gather stakeholder feedback through pre- and post-program surveys and formal debriefs with employment partners to assess participant readiness and keep the curriculum aligned with industry and community needs.
Over the next two years, the 100 Women Project will be a core focus for Meals with Impact, and we will collect and share data with all stakeholders. External funders and partners will receive an annual ESG report outlining the project’s social impact in detail.
We collect participant feedback at every session and review lessons learnt at weekly management meetings. This helps us make continuous improvements to program delivery, respond quickly to participant needs, and keep the training relevant and effective.
Meals With Impact uses social media and other digital communication methods to share project outcomes and celebrate participant achievements. Our stories help highlight the barriers women have overcome, build awareness of the project’s impact, and encourage ongoing support from partners, funders, and the wider community. AIIW Stories of Impact will be a fantastic way to showcase how we, supported by our funders and partners, are making constructive social change by supporting refugee and migrant women.
Meals with Impact (MWI) is a social enterprise that creates meaningful, long-term employment pathways for women from refugee and migrant backgrounds through our shared love of food. We deliver paid, work-integrated training in a culturally safe and supportive environment, equipping participants with confidence, industry capability, and a clear path to sustainable careers.
The heart of our enterprise is our kitchen/cafe, where participants gain hands-on experience, strengthen language and workplace skills, and build and social connections, while helping produce culturally relevant meals for communities facing food insecurity. Our enterprise combines practical training with measurable social impact. Through social procurement partnerships with corporate and government organisations, we create shared value for women, communities, and employers alike.
Our purpose is to help women thrive through food, dignity, and opportunity. In doing so, we strengthen communities and contribute to a more inclusive society where diverse experiences are recognised, valued, and celebrated.
