A HILLS-based small business, Plenty Gifting has begun addressing the challenge of food insecurity through their profit-for-purpose business model.

Founded in 2020, by Lesmurdie local Anushka van der Veen, the organisation delivers home-made, chef-prepared meals across the Perth metro area, with 100 per cent of the profits going to local food relief programs.

Ms van der Veen established Plenty Gifting with the aim of flipping the commercial model, redirecting business revenue towards community good.

“We harness the power of our meal gifting service to help fund local emergency food relief programs in WA,” she said.

“Instead of creating our own… we realised that the world doesn’t need more food relief programs. Existing food relief programs need more support.”

The business offers its meals as a practical and meaningful alternative to flowers and hampers. Ms van der Veen notes that food provides essential support during challenging times.

“A lot of our recipients are going through quite challenging seasons in life. We do a lot of deliveries to parents of newborns… and to families who have someone experiencing a really significant health challenge,” she said.

“Having the night off, having to not worry about cooking dinner for the family is a huge relief.”

With Social Enterprise Day on November 20, Ms van der Veen sees Plenty Gifting as the first step in a wider shift toward social investment.

“I think there’s definitely ways, even for existing businesses, to partner with social enterprises,” Ms van der Veen said.

“They don’t have to be social enterprises themselves, but they can always support existing social enterprises in the same way.”

Ms van der Veen says that everyone has the ability to invest in businesses that do good.

“I would encourage readers to think about how they invest in the economy.

“Find small businesses, small organisations that are doing good things to help build a community they can be a part of,” she said.