A unique partnership between a local Sunbury bakery and a NDIS support service provider has yielded fruitful results for both, with disabled participants supplying locally produced honey to the eatery.
Ottimo Bakery and Distinctive Options came together eight months ago for an important undertaking — empowering those with diverse abilities and needs.
Since then, the bakery has relied solely on honey produced by the business to phase-out sugar in their biscuit base, using a combination of honey and rice malt syrup instead.
However, there’s more on the menu than just healthier treats.
The honey supplied to the bakery — nearly 40 kilos of it — has come as a result of all the work put in by Distinctive Options’ beekeepers.
A team of six adults with disabilities have worked tirelessly to ensure continued supply, according to the organisation’s business development co-ordinator Jane O’Leary.
“We employ young adults with disabilities into our business and in this case, we’ve taught them how to look after the beehives, extract honey and bring it back into the warehouse,” she said.
“They’re also responsible for getting it out of the tins and into the jars.
“It’s amazing because at the end of the day it’s about giving them meaningful, well-paid jobs and this partnership with Ottimo does exactly that.”
In the past couple of months, the bakery has also hired two employees with diverse abilities, and it wouldn’t have happened without the program.
“It’s a wonderful thing to come out of it,” Ms O’Leary said.
Distinctive Options are encouraging more people to join their social enterprises — to find out more contact them on 9740 7100.
Prealene Khera
