A toast to toast: student raises funds for U.N. World Food Programme

Deakin student Bronte Haines has combined her two great loves – Nepal and toast – with her Nutrition studies to self-publish a fundraising recipe book to benefit the United Nation's World Food Programme.

Bronte fell in love with the friendly and welcoming people of Nepal when she volunteered with Global Vision International (GVI) in 2014 and was keen to help in the wake of the devastating earthquake in April.

Works on Toast is the result of a true grassroots fundraising campaign with Bronte's grandfather providing the capital funds for the project, Rustica Sourdough Bakery in Fitzroy providing loaves of bread for the test kitchen at Bronte's Glen Iris flat, and friends Rachel and Nikki donating their time and expertise in photography and graphic design. Remarkably, the book was completed and printed in just six weeks.

Bronte explains that all profits from the sale of Works on Toast will be donated to the World Food Programme to help continue its life-saving work in Nepal. 

"First and foremost, the affected Nepalese need food. Even in normal times, population growth outstrips agricultural production and 25 per cent of Nepalese live below the poverty line," she said.

"In the month following the initial quake, the United Nation's World Food Programme delivered food to more than 1.7 million people in the worst-affected areas, accessing high altitude and remote villages via helicopter and through sheer human resourcefulness."

In sourcing the 26 recipes for Works on Toast, Bronte called on her fellow students, Deakin's Nutrition professionals, and local cafes.

From Associate Professor Tim Crowe, Nutrition Scientist at Deakin University, and his satisfying 'Salmon, avocado and cream cheese' to Matthew Kennedy, chef at Spoon and Servery café in Malvern East, and his decadent 'Apricot and date loaf with vanilla whipped ricotta, apple and red berries', the humble piece of toast has never looked so good!

Bronte says that the idea for a book about toast had been percolating in her mind for some time.

"Toast is my love; it is quick and nutritious, and (as the recipes in this book reveal) an ideal base for a myriad of delicious meals," she said.

"It often gets a bad rap in today's diet-obsessed society, but a good wholegrain loaf can be a nutritious staple. On a day when I'm running late to Uni, you will often find me with sourdough rye shoved in my pockets, cycling ferociously and nibbling on bread at the same time!" 

Works on Toast ($25) is available now from Harvest Food Store in Fairfield, Platform Espresso in Glen Iris, Fowles Wine in Avenel, and the Deakin University Student Union offices at each campus. Postal orders can also be placed by contacting Bronte via email.