A youth-driven Aboriginal commercial catering venture on New South Wales' south coast has tucked in to the growing demand and interest in native bushfoods.
The Bega Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC) received $231,000 from the state government to establish the bushfoods business using produce from its nursery to supply its Tathre-based mobile youth catering service.
The new Aboriginal commercial catering venture is set to teach young Indigenous people how to grow native plants, cook with them, and supply bush tucker to corporate catering clients and local tourism operators.
The Katt-Hoo cafe and catering venture was one of the Bega LALC's youth programs, providing young Indigenous people invaluable opportunities to develop and hone their hospitality skills.
Bega LALC chief executive officer, Leanne Atkinson, said the new project will help the organisation develop a flexible and skilled workforce and share bush tucker and cultural knowledge with the wider community.
"Local young Aboriginal people will learn to grow native plants, cook with them, and supply the end product to our mobile café, corporate catering clients and local tourism operators, where they can share the stories behind the ingredients," Ms Atkinson said.
"Along with learning key horticulture and hospitality skills, they'll build confidence, teamwork and entrepreneurial skills that may lead them to establishing their own enterprise one day."
The funding injection helps establish a commercial kitchen, including the purchase of essential equipment, a new delivery van and hiring mentors and coaches.
Young Aboriginal people are set learn about circular systems which reduce waste and return nutrients back to Country through composting, as well as how to grow, harvest and prepare native plants for use in cooking.
The project could open long-term career pathways for young Aboriginal people in the Bega Valley, where the average age of Indigenous people is 22, compared to 52 across the broader community.
Program participant Kyra Kelly said learning technical skills in hospitality and how a commercial catering business is established from the ground up was priceless.
"It is a valuable learning opportunity and helps me think more broadly about my future," she said.
"Maybe even one day I can start up my own business."
The young catering team currently included a nursery worker, four baristas and catering staff and two young mothers leading the business.
Young people have been invited to undertake work experience, including introductory skills in operations, marketing and social media.
Passing on cultural knowledge and learnings from Aboriginal Elders and community to youth within the region was a key part of the project.
Minister for Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty, said funding for Bega LALC's horticulture and circularity project was part of the government's backing of Indigenous businesses to build new opportunities.
"Their project will help young Aboriginal people gain practical skills, strengthen cultural knowledge and develop a pathway to long-term employment," she said.
NSW Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty minister, David Harris, said the cafe and catering initiative was a great example of beneficial outcomes when Aboriginal entrepreneurship, culture and leadership were supported.
"By combining cultural knowledge with practical training and hands‑on experience, the Bega LALC is creating pathways ... for young people for years to come," he said.
