Founders of The Lunch Project.
Founders of The Lunch Project.
Meet the dynamic duo behind The Lunch Project – Andy Glenn, a seasoned chef with over three decades of culinary mastery, and Emmi Munday, a local powerhouse, health coach, and the creative mind behind Lucky Bao.
The Lunch Project isn’t just about crafting mouth-watering lunch boxes delivered straight to your door; it’s a purpose-driven venture with a big heart.
For every lunch you savour, they’re ensuring a kid in need gets a hearty meal too.
It’s a “buy one, give one” philosophy that started quietly a few weeks ago, but with your support, they’re planning to grow faster than you can say “extra guac, please!”
We dive into the story behind this culinary venture with a cause!
How long have you been a Gold Coast local?
E. I was born on the Gold Coast many moons ago. I have lived in many places since but have been back permanently for almost 11 years now.
A. I have been a local on and off for than 20 years. I feel very lucky to now call the coast home.
What do you love most about the Gold Coast?
E. The beautiful beaches!! I have been an ocean lover and sun seeker all my life. I love the relaxed lifestyle, super friendly people and the community spirit which exists on the Coast. It’s a great place to raise my 2 beautiful daughters and really offers the best of both worlds, from the picturesque surrounds paired with great energy to the buzz of a vibrant, growing city with great little local cafes, restaurants and markets.
A. The weather. I’m totally allergic to the cold. I love the outdoor lifestyle that the Coast provides. I also love the GC is a real city now. Anything you could possibly want is here.
Tell us a bit about yourself
E. I’ve always had two loves. Hospitality and health and wellness. I have been in the restaurant game for over 30 years now and have probably had my head in health and wellness books and education for about the same time. I currently am the co-creator of Lucky Bao in Mermaid Waters which I have owned for almost 7 years now. I am also a Holistic Health Practitioner with a focus on teaching people about intuitive nutrition, life balance and bio individuality to help them achieve their own wellness goals.
A. I’ve been a chef/restaurateur for more than 30 years. Learning my craft in fine dining restaurants back in New Zealand in the early 90’s. I’ve been lucky enough to have cooked in many countries around the world, and owned restaurants in New Zealand and Australia.
Can you tell us about The Lunch Project?
Absolutely. The Lunch Project is a purpose driven business creating a social impact.
The core of our business is to feed kids in need who go to school on a regular basis without food. We do this by selling amazing lunch boxes to people all over the gold coast, which are delivered directly to them each day. With every lunch we sell we are able to give a lunch to a kid in need. It’s called buy one, give one. We started super humbly and quietly just a few weeks ago. And plan to grow as quickly as we can to effect real change in our local community.
What inspired you to start The Lunch Project?
The number of kids going to school without lunch in Queensland is shocking. Some sources say 1 in 5 kids do it on a regular basis. Its a shocking statistic that most people have no idea about. We know there are many charity organisations trying to help, but the numbers of kids needing help grows everyday. We thought instead of asking for a hand out or a donation we could offer people a great lunch and the ability to provide a lunch to a kid right here in our own own backyard.
Could you elaborate on the “the buy one give one” model you have, where a healthy lunch is provides to a school kid in need for every lunch sold?
It really is as simple as that. You buy a great lunch for yourself and give a great lunch to a local school kid in need.
How do you see The Lunch Project evolving in the future?
As The Lunch Project grows our aim is to provide lunches beyond the Gold Coast. There are kids in need all over Australia. We would like to help or inspire others to help as many as possible.
We would love to purpose build a facility right here on the coast were people can come and help us make the lunches for the kids. We would also love to bring school kids to our facility to learn how to make healthy lunches for themselves.
How can Gold Coasters get on board and help out?
There are a few ways Gold Coasters can get on board and help.
The easiest is to jump on our website and order a lunch. You will get a delicious chef prepared lunch delivered to you, and give a lunch to a kid right here on the Coast.
If you’re not feeling like a lunch you can ‘give 2’ lunches directly to 2 kids.
We are also on the look out for passionate people to volunteer with us to help make and deliver lunches for the kids.
What are your Gold Coast favourites?
Favourite cafe
E. Cheese Me Baby, Mermaid Beach
A. Paddock for breakfast.
Favourite restaurant
E. Anekawa.
A. Apart from Emmi’s restaurant Lucky Bao, Anekawa is hands down the best restaurant on the Coast.
Favourite bar
E. I appreciate cute little bars like Rosella’s but these days I don’t drink.
A. I don’t drink anymore so my bar hang days are over.
Favourite beach
E. Mermaid always, but anywhere from there to Burleigh I frequent
A. So many great choices. Normally somewhere between Broadbeach and Nobbys.
How do you choose to spend your days off?
E. Walks and laying on the beach, yoga, strolling in Burleigh and rest
A . Taking things as slowly as possible. Spending time outside on the beaches or parks.
Carly Fradgley is a remarkable force for positive change within the community. In 2016, she initiated the heartwarming movement of Baby Give Back, a charity that addresses critical gaps in supporting families facing various challenges, from domestic violence to homelessness, with essential everyday items.
Over the years, Baby Give Back has transformed more than 25,000 children’s lives across South East Queensland and Northern NSW, demonstrating the profound impact of community support.
Carly’s commitment to fostering partnerships that truly make a difference is evident through the annual ‘Baby Give Back Parmy-thon’ hosted by Robina Pavilion.
This initiative embodies the power of collective giving, as the venue and the community come together to raise funds for families in crisis. We chatted to Carly about the path that led her to found Baby Give Back and why we should all get down to Robina Pavilion for a parmy, stat.
What do you love the most about the Gold Coast?
Having worked in the charity sector for nearly seven years, one of the wonderful things I have discovered about the Gold Coast is its strong sense of community and willingness to rally together for collective giving. Gold Coasters are always ready to jump in and lend a helping hand when action is required, whether it be during the flood disaster or when we put the call out for urgent baby and children’s items in the wake of the cost of living crisis – the generosity and kind-heartedness of locals continues to amaze me.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am a born and bred Gold Coaster, mum of two, former lawyer turned charity founder and passionate change-maker in our community. I started Baby Give Back at the end of 2016 as a make-shift operation in my garage after noticing a gap in the community for charities that could support families facing a broad range of challenges, from domestic violence to homelessness, with everyday essentials. In six-and-a-half short years, we have changed more than 25,000 children’s lives for the better across South East Queensland and Northern NSW, and it’s thanks to the support of our donors, volunteers, caseworkers and stakeholders that our work is made possible.
We will continue to target our support to disadvantaged and vulnerable families who need us most, and with the number of requests for help increasing weekly, we know how critical our organisation is to so many.
Can you tell us about the ‘Baby Give Back Parmy-thon’ and what inspired Robina Pavilion to partner with Baby Give Back for this charity fundraising campaign?
The Robina Pavilion has been a long-term supporter of Baby Give Back, and we’re thrilled to be continuing our ongoing partnership. The Fitzgibbons’ family-owned, family-friendly establishment has long recognised the important work of Baby Give Back, supporting local families and helping children get a strong start in life.
The Parmy-thon is designed to take our partnership to the next level to raise thousands of dollars for Baby Give Back. From 16 August to 8 October, the Robina Pavilion will donate $1 from every parmy or schnitty sold over that time, conduct a big-ticket prize raffle and encourage voluntary donations throughout the venue. The Parmy-thon will culminate with a lakeside Family Fun Day Fundraiser at the venue on 8 October, to celebrate the work of Baby Give Back and the Parmy Army.
Full details on how to get involved and show your support is available at www.robinapavilion.com.au
The Parmy-thon seems like a unique and engaging way to raise funds for local families in crisis. How did the idea of forming a ‘Parmy Army’ to support Baby Give Back come about?
The Parmy Army is a way to connect and build on the goodwill in the Baby Give Back and Robina Pavilion communities, raising awareness of the support we provide to families in crisis, and by tucking into a parmy or schnitty at the Robina Pavilion, raise thousands of dollars which will go such a long way.
Our hope is that the longer campaign builds a lasting connection with the broader community and inspire other businesses to engage their local communities to also give back.
Could you tell us about this year’s fundraising campaign and how it contributes to the overall goal of supporting Baby Give Back?
As an organisation that relies solely on the generosity of donors to keep our doors and arms open, fundraising appeals are absolutely critical to ensure we can continue to help the families who rely on us every single day. We know times are tough for so many right now, which affects people’s ability to give to charities, so we are forever grateful to our supporters who donate anything from a pack of wipes or nappies, $5, right through to our big-hearted major donors and sponsors – we truly can’t do this work without our village.
A huge thank you to Robina Pavilion for championing our cause with this appeal – every single dollar raised through the purchase of a parmy or schnitty will help to change the life of a child facing disadvantage and vulnerability.
The Family Fun Day Fundraiser on October 8th sounds like a fantastic way to end the campaign. What can attendees expect and how will the event celebrate the work of Baby Give Back?
The Family Fun Day Fundraiser will celebrate the work of Baby Give Back by bringing together the Baby Give Back and Robina Pavilion communities for an afternoon of relaxed family fun in the sun down by the lakeside.
The afternoon will kick off with delicious roving canapes complimented by a thirst-quenching beverage package, insta-worthy activations and for the kids there will be face painting and the bottomless popcorn will return by popular demand.To encourage family fun, kids under 13 will be welcome for free.
The afternoon will culminate in the raffle draw and handing over the proceeds from the Parmy-thon, raffle and fundraiser to Baby Give Back.
You can purchase tickets and find out all the details at www.robinapavilion.com.au
As the founder of Baby Gives Back, what message or advice would you give to individuals who are passionate about making a positive impact but are unsure how to start or where to begin?
I would suggest doing some digging to unearth the incredible local charities who make up our community and finding one that resonates with you; then offer to jump in and volunteer in some capacity as most charity organisations have a volunteering program that relies on the help of community members.
This is an excellent way to dip your toes into the not-for-profit sector and create meaningful social impact.
The majority of our team members at Baby Give Back all started out in a volunteering role, so never underestimate the power of giving back if the not-for-profit path is one you are hoping to pursue.
What are your Gold Coast favourites:
Favourite café: Tarte in Burleigh as I’m partial to a bagel and crueller; and as a southern Gold Coaster, I am bursting to try its sister venue Tarte Beach House at Currumbin.
Favourite restaurant: It’s a toss up between Tommy’s at Currumbin for a wood-fired pizza and pasta in the sunshine, or Hideaway Kitchen for a Street Feast and margarita – yum!
Favourite bar: We love an afternoon sundowner at Robina Pavilion – kids menu / dedicated play area + rose on tap + water views = winning combination. The kids are always asking to go there and I love how you can easily see them in the play area while enjoying a meal.
Favourite beach: Currumbin Alley is my family’s favourite spot.
How do you choose to spend your days off?
A day off midweek is a little rare these days, but when I can steal a moment or two during the week I love to get down to Currumbin and dip my toes in the water. No matter the temperature, putting my feet in the ocean grounds me and helps to keep me focused. I also love nothing more than sitting on the couch or outside with a good fiction novel.
