The team facilitates canteens at a host of schools in the region, servicing Echuca East Primary School, Echuca Primary School, Moama Anglican Grammar, St Mary’s Primary School, Echuca College, Moama Public School and Twin Rivers School, as well as Wodonga Middle Years College’s Huon campus.
This makes for around 4000 students to feed each day and plenty of cupcakes to be baked.
In March 2025, Ben Welch will run 380km from Mildura to Echuca in four days, four hours and 44 minutes.
He aims to finish in Echuca on March 7, the 10 year anniversary of his older brother, Jai’s death in a ski racing accident near Mildura
Mr Welch will also honour his younger brother, Zac, who he lost to suicide in October 2022.
Zac’s favourite number was 444, inspiring the timing of the nine marathon-long journey.
All funds raised, which are at over $120,000 as of Tuesday, October 15, will be donated across headspace Echuca, Swan Hill and Mildura.
The Fit Foodie Canteen crew was quick to do its part for Mr Welch’s 444 run, with founder and director Jenni Burgess drawn to do something big for his efforts.
“He’s also a good friend, so I didn’t want to just make a donation, I wanted to do something meaningful that is for the kids,” she said.
“(Mr Welch) wants to make sure that the money that goes to Echuca headspace is used for the kids, so there are a few ideas going around with the wellbeing teams on what the kids would like to see it used for.”
Fit Foodie Canteen marketing manager Zac Curtis highlighted the destination of the funds as a strong motivator for the contribution, particularly due to its work in schools.
“I think it’s fair to say that we’ve all been touched in some way by mental health,” he said.
“Once we heard about Ben’s commitment to the cause, it was a no-brainer to get involved. It’s been an absolute honour so far to support him with his journey.
“When we look at the statistics from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, the leading cause of death for those aged 16 to 24 is suicide and nearly 40 per cent of those aged between 16 and 24 experience a mental health disorder.
“This is why it's crucial to implement these activities and conversations now because it really does start here with our youth.”
Covering so many schools in the region, the Fit Foodie Canteen team has conversations with thousands of students and gets an interesting insight into playground politics.
“When you’ve been making lunch for these kids for the last couple of years, they start to feel like your own family,” Mr Curtis said.
“We always want to make sure that we see a big smile on their faces.
“Our kitchen teams across all of the schools are busy preparing all the cupcakes, but couldn’t be happier to support the cause for the month of October.”
The team acknowledges R U OK? Day each year with signature yellow cupcakes during September, so felt that bringing their cupcakes back for the month of October would fit well with Mr Welch’s fundraising goals.
They also want to use the cupcakes as a talking point, encouraging students to reach out and use resources like headspace.
“All our students know for the month of September we do yellow cupcakes for R U OK? Day,” Mrs Burgess said.
“The amount of teens who are registered through headspace, it blows my mind. It’s such a good service.”
Students at all the Fit Foodie Canteen schools will be able to purchase yellow cupcakes throughout October, with $1 from each purchase donated to the 444 run.
For crisis support or if you know someone who is struggling, phone Lifeline on 131 114 or visit lifeline.org.au; Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 or beyondblue.org.au; Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800, or kidshelpline.com.au; or headspace on 1800 650 890 or headspace.org.au; or 13YARN on 139 276.
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