In an inspired collaboration, The Bread & Butter Project has joined forces with native plant project IndigiGrow to launch a series of six indigenous-inspired products that celebrate Australia’s combined refugee and First Nations cultures.

The exciting new range includes Lemon Myrtle and Pepperberry sourdough varieties, Dark Chocolate & Wattleseed Brownies, Toffee’d Saltbush Blondies, Caramelised White Chocolate & Saltbush Bikkies, and Lemon Myrtle Toffee’d Caramel Shortbreads, with all products set to be available via Harris Farm stores Sydney-wide.

The flavourful creations will appear on shelves to coincide with upcoming key dates for the indigenous and refugee communities, including National Reconciliation Week (27 May to 3 June), Refugee Week (14 June to 20 June) and NAIDOC Week (5 July to 12 July).

The collaboration brings together Australia’s oldest and newest inhabitants in the creation of quality artisan baked goods, which will be hand-made by refugees at The Bread & Butter Project’s Marrickville bakery using IndigiGrow’s locally sourced native ingredients.

As two of Sydney’s “most-loved” social enterprises, The Bread & Butter Project and IndigiGrow have shared prized recipes, ingredients and stories to create the new products, in the process aiming to promote a deeper understanding and respect for the traditions and knowledge that have sustained Australians for millennia.

Both organisations are committed to educating and upskilling their respective communities, while they are also passionate about food, and building a more inclusive society where all Australians – both ancient custodians and those newly arrived in the aftermath of conflict – feel a sense of belonging, and a connection to its land and people.

The Bread & Butter Project is known for producing some of Sydney’s “finest” sourdough and baked goods, and since its inception in 2013, the organisation has graduated 120 refugee bakers – providing them with the skills and qualifications to ensure financial independence.

The program provides on-the-job training, English language tutoring and job readiness preparation, with graduates placed into paid work opportunities in Australia’s food services and hospitality industries upon the successful completion of their traineeship.

Meanwhile IndigiGrow, established in 2018, sustains people, land, and culture through the propagation of native plants and bush foods at its La Perouse nursery, with the initiative employing 10 local Aboriginal staff and operating two nurseries and an online shop.

Grounded in Culture, Connection to Country, and Caring for Country, IndigiGrow passes on traditional knowledge and stories from elders to apprentices, building strong cultural foundations, resilience, and identity.

According to The Bread & Butter Project CEO Eva Rabanal, the two organisations have found a lot of common ground during their collaboration.

“It’s been incredible working with IndigiGrow and exploring the opportunity to develop new product lines that showcase the best of both organisations,” she said.

“The Bread & Butter Project and IndigiGrow are both founded on the principles of shared storytelling, education and human empowerment, and it’s been an absolute pleasure working with them to bring these new sourdoughs and baked goods to market.”

According to IndigiGrow founder Peter Cooley, the partnership is set to create powerful impact.

“Collaborations such as this one have enormous benefits for our people, new Australians and the wider community, and I’m proud that we can play a role in not only sharing native foods far and wide, but in sharing our culture with the newest Australians,” he said.

“There are so many stories linked to our foods that Australia should know about, and this is one way to share them.

“Importantly, any proceeds IndigiGrow receives from this initiative go straight back into providing employment for young Aboriginal apprentices.”

As global conflict continues to dominate headlines, the collaboration is “a powerful reminder that it is often the simplest of traditions – like the collective breaking of bread – that bring us back to what is truly important.”

Proceeds from the sale of these products directly support both The Bread & Butter Project and IndigiGrow.