A new partnership between Fronditha Care and beloved Melbourne business Sweet Greek is bringing comfort food, culture and community connection to Greek elders — one dish at a time. Greek elders embrace tradition in Fronditha–Sweet Greek partnership.
To launch the collaboration, Sweet Greek owner and cookbook author Kathy Tsaples led a bilingual cooking demonstration in June, sharing her signature recipe for traditional avgolemono (chicken and lemon soup) with participants from Fronditha’s Social Support Groups.
The heartwarming workshop saw elders prepare and enjoy a full Greek feast — including moussaka, Greek salad, spinach and cheese tiropites, dips, olives, and for dessert, a classic rizogalo (rice pudding).
“Everything was so delicious and fresh,” said Angeliki Giannaris, a participant in the programme, as she tucked into the sweet finale.
The initiative forms part of a broader collaboration that will see elders and Fronditha Care staff take part in seasonal cooking workshops throughout the year. In addition, Sweet Greek will offer discounted home-delivered meals via its Cookaborough platform for eligible Fronditha Care clients.
Fronditha Care CEO Faye Spiteri OAM highlighted the importance of providing elders with healthy, familiar meals that honour their heritage.
“The Mediterranean diet is central to Greek identity, and for many of our clients, food brings back strong memories of family, tradition, and a life lived close to the land,” Ms Spiteri said.
“Partnering with Kathy and Sweet Greek allows us to offer nutritious, culturally appropriate meals to elders living at home — in a way that also fosters joy and dignity.”
Kathy Tsaples — who cared for her own ageing parents while running her business — says the idea for Sweet Greek at Home came from lived experience.
“When you’re looking after someone who’s unwell or has limited mobility, having a freezer stocked with proper, homemade food makes a world of difference,” she said.
“This service is about nourishing our elders with the food they grew up with — the flavours that feel like home.”
Through the partnership, elders with a Home Care Package (HCP) can access Sweet Greek meals with 70 per cent of the cost covered. Meals are delivered weekly — freshly cooked and ready to heat or freeze. Orders placed by Tuesday are delivered each Friday.
The programme complements Fronditha Care’s existing services, including cooking support at home, shopping trips for fresh produce, and Mediterranean-inspired menus at its residential facilities — all dietitian-approved.
At its heart, this partnership recognises that food is more than sustenance — it’s a powerful tool for preserving culture, promoting wellbeing, and bringing people together.
