A not-for-profit business is working to address economic inequality amongst Australia's migrant and refugee community through food.
CEO and Freed to Feed co-founder Loretta Bolotin was inspired by the refugees she worked with over the years and said they informed the business's mission. Shahnaz Albokhalifeh fled Iran for safety reasons and while she was glad to be granted asylum in Australia, making the transition was a challenge. "When I first arrived in Australia it was very difficult for me because I didn't know any English and this is a new culture, new country, new place, no home, no language, no job. It was very difficult for me”, she said.
“Now I have been cooking for about 27 years and I am so happy because I like cooking, my job, and I like especially working with these lovely people.” The unique ability of food to bring people from different cultures together is what informed Ms Bolotin’s decision to start Free to Feed, as having grown up in a migrant community her earliest memories are of sitting around eating with friends and family.
Head Chef Mischa Tropp is in charge of training Free to Feed employees, many of who are women who fled war and begin the program lacking in confidence. “Then in the last month, I've transitioned her to cooking classes, which for someone who wasn't very confident to have her standing up in front of a group of people and teaching them, is such a big win." Despite being the teacher and in charge of organising classes, Mr Tropp believes he learns as much from those taking part as they do from him.