The OzHarvest Nourish Program: An evaluation of a hospitality-based program to support employment for young Australians

OBJECTIVES: The youth unemployment rate in Australia is more than double the national average. Policies and programs to address barriers and improve youth engagement in education and employment are essential to achieve many of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The aim of this mixed-methods study was to evaluate the OzHarvest Nourish Program, a free, hospitality-focused pathway to support employment and engagement for young people aged 16–25 years. STUDY DESIGN: Mixed-methods study. METHODS: An online survey, workshop and semi-structured interviews with staff, volunteers, participants, and broader stakeholders were conducted using a qualitative, exploratory approach. Ethics approval was granted by the Griffith University Human Research Ethics Committee (#2022/492). RESULTS: Five key themes were identified from interview data and a logic model was developed. Participants described significant benefits of participation, including improved food security, self-efficacy, and communication skills, reduced social isolation, and greater hope for the future. CONCLUSIONS: The Nourish Program is a transformative service that is improving wellbeing outcomes for program participants. Additional resourcing, including adequate funding, may be required to maximise program impact and support sustainability.