'They're not just feeding themselves, they're discovering their potential'

Now, within two weeks, he's making tasty pasta and Mexican dishes and finding out where food is grown and processed.

He recently joined a new 18-week food literacy program, which was being delivered by Junction Support Services to empower youth on the Victoria/NSW border by giving them essential life skills through hands-on learning and connection.

From the Source is targeting at-risk youth, emphasising education and skill-building.

"I've been learning how to cook up meat dishes and to use spices to flavour food," Tyler said.

"It's good to learn easy, healthy meals because I don't want to be eating processed food every night."

Based at Junction Support Services' Windbreak 3690 community youth space and Close Collective Cafe, From the Source is designed to support young people aged 15 to 21.

It aimed to address a growing need for alternative education pathways for young people who struggle in mainstream settings.

Junction's Windbreak and Youth Training Programs co-ordinator Rikki Whittaker said they anticipated a big impact on the participants.

"From the Source not only teaches - it transforms," she said.

"It's a bridge between lived experience and future opportunity, especially for young people who feel left behind by traditional systems.

"From the Source offers a warm and welcoming environment where participants can develop essential life skills while exploring local food systems."

Together with Junction Support Services' Social Enterprise and Youth Pathways manager, David Kapay, Ms Whittaker worked with Border and North East food producers to create a practical course, centred on self-efficacy and connection.

"Food is a universal language," Kapay said.

"When young people learn to cook, they're not just feeding themselves, they're discovering their potential.

"It's a joy to help these young people connect with their local community and uncover what they're capable of."

Kapay, an award-winning Wodonga chef and restaurateur, saw the life-changing power of food and cooking while working with celebrity chef Jamie Oliver at Fifteen London.

Oliver's Fifteen foundation trained disadvantaged youth, including those living with addiction challenges, the unemployed, and those experiencing homelessness.

Many Fifteen alumni went on to work at leading English restaurants, and offering a similar training pathway in Wodonga had been a long-term goal for Kapay.

"From the Source will re-ignite the passion for food and cooking among young people, and if I can inspire at least one young person a day, I will be making a huge impact on the industry over the next decade," he said.

From the Source takes a "paddock to plate" approach, guiding participants through every step of the food journey.

Students will learn where food comes from and how to prepare and plate regional produce in an affordable and nutritious way.

During the course, participants visit or learn from almost two dozen diverse food sector businesses, including bakeries, butcheries, organic farmers, cheesemakers, grocery retailers, hospitality services and international food importers.

South Albury-based Almar Organics co-owner Clint Hall said programs such as From the Source were essential.

"We've always believed that good food is more than just fuel; it's a way to connect, to heal, and to grow," he said.

"Supporting young people to understand where their food comes from and how to nourish themselves is something we're proud to be part of."

From the Source will be delivered across four main domains: food planning and management, food selection, food handling and meal preparation and nutritional eating.

"We are grateful to our staff, community supporters, and all our amazing and generous regional food producers for helping make this vision a reality," Junction Support Services chief executive Megan Hanley said.

"This initiative is about more than teaching cooking skills, it's about equipping young people with the confidence and capability to shape their futures."