Greenacres CEO Karen Burdett and Shellharbour Mayor Chris Homer celebrate the opening of Greenacres’ latest cafe and kitchen at Shellharbour Airport. Photo: Jen White.
Shellharbour Airport passengers will again have access to a cafe which not only supplies food and coffee, but also provides jobs and training for people with disability.
Greenacres Cafes and Catering opened for business this week and the airport cafe is the organisation’s fourth venture.
It marks a name change for Greenacres’ cafes from Brewing up a Storm and will become its hospitality base, with a new kitchen providing fresh food for the cafes as well as its catering service.
Greenacres CEO Karen Burdett told guests at the cafe opening that it was the start of an exciting new chapter, not just for Greenacres, but for the entire community.
“This new cafe is more than just great coffee and delicious food, although you’ll actually find plenty of both, it represents opportunity and purpose and inclusion,” she said.
“For over 70 years, Greenacres has supported people with a disability to live their best lives and today that mission continues as we open the doors to a space that provides meaningful employment to people of all abilities.
“This quiet cafe offers more than a great place to stop before a flight, or to enjoy a bite to eat with friends, it really is a place where people can feel confident they can learn new skills and be part of a team in a real-world hospitality setting.
“But the impact doesn’t stop at the counter. This site will also serve as the central kitchen for our growing catering operations, and it’s from this very location that we’ll be preparing and delivering high quality catering to corporate and community organisations across the Illawarra.
“It is a bold step forward and one we’re incredibly proud of.”
Greenacres employs more than 200 people with disability through its social enterprises. As well as the cafes, there are employment opportunities in retail and labour hire and Greenacres’ own service industries.
Two years ago Greenacres started its range of IMAGINE homewares and hampers which includes scented candles, soy candle melts, room sprays, reed diffusers, gift sets, botanical bath salts and accessories.
The range is on display at the cafe, along with artworks by Greenacres clients.
Karen paid tribute to Shellharbour Council for its support in allowing Greenacres to set up at the airport, and thanked the airport management team and the group’s community partners.
“We’d like to thank you for believing in our vision and helping to create a more inclusive region,” she said.
“In line with our purpose, our businesses are specifically designed to ensure that our setup and every single process is uniquely tailored to ensuring that we offer a truly inclusive space to create meaningful employment where people of all abilities can contribute,” she said.
Mayor Chris Homer said he was proud of the collaboration between council and Greenacres.
“It’s a fantastic example of how community partnerships can deliver real social and economic benefits, supporting local jobs, inclusive opportunities, and a welcoming experience for travellers and locals alike,” he said.
Karen asked one of the cafe’s employees, Jess, to explain what she loved most about her job.
“All the skills I’ve had to learn over the years, being able to utilise them at cafes and catering and the many friends I’ve made at work,” Jess said.
“To be able to come to work, to a job that I enjoy, and working alongside my team to achieve our goals for our cafe and kitchen. We have fun at work and I learn things about my job. I have a place.”
