Purpose on a plate

La CantinaLa Cantina is the onsite restaurant at Common Ground Project: a social enterprise and community farm from the Mulberry Group, an hour and 10 minutes' drive west of the Melbourne CBD. Common Ground Project is a not-for-profit community farm that promotes food security by creating fair access to locally grown, healthy food. Their new restaurant, La Cantina is the perfect choice for a long lunch, destination dinner or road trip stop-off – a rustic Italian restaurant where the produce is the star. 675 Anglesea Rd, Freshwater Creek VIC 3217

Feast of MeritTake your pick of what's going to leave you feeling most warm and fuzzy about dining on the contemporary Middle Eastern influenced fare at Richmond's Feast of Merit. Is it the scrumptious seasonal produce and raw foods, or the local, ethical and sustainable philosophy? Or that it's a social enterprise, with all profits directly supporting YGAP's youth education and leadership projects? Until we can visit in person, the team has just launched their ‘At Home’ feasts available via their website.117 Swan St, Richmond VIC 3121

Free to FeedBest known for their signature grazing tables and talented storytellers, Free to Feed creates empowering employment opportunities for people seeking asylum and refugees through the creation of shared food experiences. Currently, Free to Feed are busy feeding Melburnians through their weekly Brave Meals menu, but as restrictions ease, Free to Feed will again create and host beautiful events and their much loved cooking school, which has a diverse program of cooking experiences, from Colombian, to Lebanese, to Persian, led by amazing custodians who so generously share a window into their culture and cuisine. 539 High St, Northcote VIC 3070

Peppergreen Farm Café and TramPepperGreen Farm is an initiative of Access Australia Group. Developed as a tourist and employment precinct it provides tourist attractions and experiences to visitors and the community, school programs, environmental practices and workshops, horticulture, and a range of biodiversity activities. Set on a historically significant, two-hectare site close to the heart of Bendigo, PepperGreen Farm offers a range of enriching experiences for visitors. Enjoy something to eat outside surrounded by the gardens and activity at the Farm or inside in our cafe area, or for something different, sit in the historical tram to enjoy your meal. 40-44 Thunder St, North Bendigo VIC 3550

Sibling and KinfolkPopular socially minded city outlet Kinfolk and it’s inner-north offshoot, Sibling, are both staffed by volunteers with a focus on capacity building, specialised hospitality training and inclusivity. Along with providing a venue for workplace training, Sibling and Kinfolk donate 100 per cent of the profits to location and international causes, including the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre and The Cathy Freeman Foundation. The menus have been designed to celebrate local and seasonal produce with a focus on sustainable practices, along with small batch coffee and local wines. Sibling, 611 Nicholson St, Carlton North VIC 3054 & Kinfolk, 673 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000

Cromwell STREATLocated on Cromwell Street in Collingwood, STREAT is a converted and classy 1860’s manor turned 100-seat café, coffee roastery, artisan bakery, meeting spaces and function rooms. Since opening their Cromwell site in 2016, STREAT has extended with outlets at RACV Bourke St, Melbourne Central, RMIT University and Parkville, building more capacity to assist disadvantaged youth through social support and hospitality training. More than just good vibes and good deeds, Cromwell Streat is about inventive flavours and perfect brews. 66 Cromwell St, Collingwood VIC 3066

Tradeblock Café Tradeblock Cafe is an authentic work environment and Deaf space open to the public. Those who have participated in work at Tradeblock Cafe identify the benefits this program offers to include increased awareness, skills, confidence, work experience and social networks. There is also benefit to visitors – other than a great daily menu and catering options, patrons experience Deaf culture and have the opportunity to build their knowledge, awareness and relationships with Deaf people. 597 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne VIC 3004