Journey to the Western Desert: A Celebration of Food, Culture and Community at Dust Up 2024

In September 2024, Prepare Produce Provide (PPP) made our annual journey to 2024 Dust Up festival in the remote Ngaanyatjarra Lands in Australia's Western Desert, bringing food, knowledge and a spirit of Kutjupanguru nintirringama—learning from others.

Catering for Over 300 People at Dust Up Festival 2024

Dust Up is 3-day annual sports carnival and festival which brings together over 300 people from eight remote communities for a celebration of sport, culture and community. For us, it's an opportunity to share our expertise in food and nutrition, provide hands-on cooking workshops, and build connections between metro and remote schools.

From Whadjuk Noongar land to Ngaanyatjarra (pronounced nyan-un-thurra), it was a monumental effort which ensured that students, teachers and community members had full bellies throughout the event.

Check out these huge numbers!

4,500 pieces of food
3 tonnes of food prepped and trucked
80 volunteers from Foodbank and 4 metro schools
5,000 kms travelled
4 pallets of food
3,600 meals over three days – morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner
Over 300 people fed over three days
Workshops in 4 remote communities in 4 days

Bunjalung MasterChef Mindy Woods Joins Prepare Produce Provide

A highlight of Dust Up was PPP's invitation to Bunjalung Restauranteur, Author and former MasterChef contestant Mindy Woods. Mindy’s passion for bush foods and her culinary expertise brought an added layer of excitement to the event, enriching the experience for students and the community. “This initiative embodies First Nations principles of connection, community, and knowledge sharing, and I am proud to be involved.” - Mindy Woods

Central Desert Café: A New Initiative

In a first for PPP, this year we brought a purpose-built Pop-Up Central Desert Café to Dust Up. The structure was built free supported by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. With guidance from Richard Watson, students designed and built the structure to be flat-packed and transported to the Ngaanyatjarra Lands.

Hands-On Cooking Workshops in Remote Communities

PPP’s vision extends to fostering story sharing through two-way science, building respect for Indigenous culture and promoting traditional ecological knowledge. Our efforts in the Ngaanyatjarra Lands didn’t stop at feeding the community. In Warakurna, Warburton, Blackstone, and Wingellina, we delivered interactive cooking workshops that focused on Kutjupanguru nintirringama—learning from others. Students learned traditional Aboriginal cooking techniques from Elders, while also gaining modern culinary skills. This two-way science approach, blending bush foraging with contemporary kitchen practices, empowered students to embrace their cultural heritage while building valuable life skills.

The Importance of Good Nutrition for Learning and Wellbeing

PPP was founded by teachers who understand the critical link between nutrition and learning. Our involvement in Dust Up 2024 was about more than just food; it addressed the pressing issue of food insecurity in remote communities.

Proper nutrition is key to cognitive development, academic success and overall wellbeing, especially for vulnerable youth. In addition to providing fresh, healthy meals throughout the festival, PPP also worked with local teachers, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to continue supporting students' nutritional needs long after the event. This ensures that students are not only well-fed but also empowered to engage fully in their learning and cultural activities year-round.

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How You Can Help Us Support Remote Communities

As we look ahead, PPP is seeking ongoing support to continue our involvement at Dust Up. The logistics of delivering workshops, transporting food and catering for over 300 people in remote areas are challenging, and we can't do it alone. You can help by:

Spreading the word about our work;

Becoming a PPP Member;

Donating towards our plans for a purpose-built trailer to transport food and supplies;

Buying a ticket to one of our events;

Volunteering at future events; or

Connecting us with potential sponsors who share our vision.

Every contribution, whether financial or through your time and connections, helps in our mission to empower vulnerable youth through innovative food education.