The pilot program will provide participants with nutritious food, the chance to share a meal together and meet new people. 

The event will bring together a wide range of local service groups and organisations who will help host the lunch. 

The meal will be at the Port Fairy Community House with its staff partnering with Moyne Health Services, the Port Fairy Rotary Club and the Port Fairy-Belfast Lions Club.

Port Fairy Uniting Church and Warrnambool and District Foodshare are also part of the new program.

Community house manager Tatiana Resk Wilson said the idea arose from discussions at a Moyne Health Services health and wellbeing group meeting last year. 

She said the event’s motto ‘sharing stories, sharing food’ encapsulated the objective of the community lunch. 

While originally targeted at residents with limited social connection due to age, health or means, it now had a broader focus. 

“It was soon recognised that a community lunch would be a great program to facilitate connection of people from all areas of the community,” she said.  

“We encourage all members of the community to consider attending the lunch either as a participant or a volunteer helper.” 

Program management committee member Harry Bracegirdle said the lunch would promote greater social interaction like the highly successful monthly Port Fairy Men's Shed lunch did, but on a larger scale.

Volunteer co-ordinator Wendy Hunter has a nutrition background and said the lunch was a wonderful community resource. 

“We hope people will create new friendships and have somewhere they can feel comfortable, that they can share their stories and their experiences because everyone has story and they can enjoy some good food too,” Dr Hunter said.

The lunch will be each Tuesday from September 13. Places are limited to 20 and bookings must be made the Friday prior on 5568 2681.