Sandro Demaio Foundation

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Sandro Demaio Foundation

Independently funded and driven by a local team, the Sandro Demaio Foundation offers a fresh perspec

09/09/2026

Widely known as The Fruit Nerd, Thanh is a produce expert, food educator and passionate advocate for food systems literacy and sustainability. Since 2023, he has been a familiar face at the Little Food Festival as our MC – bringing energy, warmth and deep food knowledge to the Foundation’s flagship event.

For Thanh, health is about balance. “It’s a harmony across all parts of life – the food we eat, the activities we enjoy, our connection to nature, our sense of community and the way we approach work,” he says. Of joining the SDF Board, Thanh adds, “What excites me is engaging and educating young Australians, empowering them to discover their own balance and live fulfilling, healthy lives.”

We’re thrilled to have Thanh’s passion, expertise and creative energy on the Board as we continue to grow the impact of the Little Food Festival and the Foundation’s work across Australia.

02/09/2026

Daniel Briggs is a long-serving and deeply valued member of the Sandro Demaio Foundation Board, bringing both legal expertise and a strong commitment to community wellbeing.

For Daniel, health is about sustainability and connection. “It means feeling good in your body, having energy for the things that matter, and living in a way that supports long-term wellbeing not just for yourself, but for the people around you,” he says.

Of SDF, Daniel says, “I love being part of a team that’s genuinely trying to make healthy living more accessible and fun. SDF has a way of bringing people together around food, community and positive change.”

We’re grateful for Daniel’s leadership and the role he continues to play in supporting the Foundation’s mission.

29/08/2026

Allira Taylor, our Senior Program Manager, is the backbone of the Little Food Festival, delivering her third full program event in 2026.

For Allira, health is about much more than the physical. It’s social, emotional, spiritual and mental too. Helping children understand this full picture of wellbeing is key to setting up the next generation to thrive.

Of the Little Food Festival, she says, “Our festival days are truly the best. Seeing families and communities come together at Fed Square - all those smiling faces, from kids and their parents and carers - it really is wonderful to witness.”

That’s why Allira is excited about what’s next: growing the Festival across Victoria and beyond, and reaching even more kids, families and communities.

26/08/2026

A long-time contributor to the Little Food Festival, we’re delighted that Dr Liza Barbour has joined the Board of the Sandro Demaio Foundation.

Liza is a Senior Lecturer in Food Systems, Planetary Health and Public Health Nutrition, and an Education Fellow (Planetary Health) in the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences. She brings deep expertise in nutrition, sustainability and public health, alongside a strong commitment to helping future generations thrive.

For Liza, health is about connection and belonging. “A healthy life is one where we enjoy food that connects us to people and our culture, we move our bodies in ways that make us feel present and truly alive, and we feel a sense of belonging to those around us,” she says.

Of joining SDF, Liza says she’s excited by the opportunity to work directly with children to help shape better food systems. “So much of my work focuses on the challenges facing our planet and future food systems. Working with SDF gives me hope. It’s a chance to be creative, to connect with children and their incredible imaginations, and to help turn their ideas into real, systemic change.”

We’re thrilled to have Liza’s insight, energy and optimism on our Board as we continue to grow the impact of the Little Food Festival and the Foundation’s work.

19/08/2026

Dr Christina Zorbas is a Senior Research Fellow at Deakin University’s Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition (GLOBE) and a valued voice in our work at the Sandro Demaio Foundation.

For Christina, health is deeply connected to joy, belonging and community. “It’s about staying connected to people, places and activities that enrich your life,” she says. Food plays a powerful role in this, from sharing meals with others, to celebrating Australia’s rich cultural diversity, to growing and enjoying fresh fruit and vegetables.

Of SDF’s work, Christina says, “We’re about encouraging positive relationships with food across our communities, especially for young people. We want the next generation to feel connected to where their food comes from and to help shape a future where everyone has access to healthy, nourishing food.”

Creating opportunities for people to engage with the food system, she says, shows just how powerful food can be in bringing people together.

13/08/2026

We're thrilled to be bringing The Little Food Festival to Launceston for the very first time, thanks to a new partnership between the Sandro Demaio Foundation and the City of Launceston.

Your little ones love can get their hands dirty planting seedlings, try new things and learn how food gets from paddock to plate. There's something for the whole family to enjoy this October at Civic Square.

Link in bio to find out more.

11/08/2026

Little Food Festival is the flagship event of the Sandro Demaio Foundation. We see a future where every child, and their family, enjoys good health enabled by a delicious, healthy, fair and sustainable food system. We are so lucky to have an amazing team that makes the Little Food Festival possible every year, as well as the myriad other health and food system-focused work of the foundation.
Bella Katz recently joined our Board as Chair, bringing with her a wealth of experience in food and beverage, automotives, trade and marketing. She is a former freelance business writer, and holds qualifications in arts, marketing and governance including Fellow status with the Australian Institute of Marketing.

For Bella, health is about balance. It’s as much about spending time with family and friends as it is eating well and exercising. Of her appointment, she says, "the Little Food Festival is a wonderful place for kids to learn about the provenance of food in a fun, creative way. I’m excited to join the team that brought this concept to life, and to keep building the work of the foundation.”

05/08/2026

We are excited to welcome Adele Parris to our Fundraising & Partnerships Advisory Sub-Committee.

Adele Parris is Health Projects Coordinator at the City of Melbourne, with almost 10 years of experience in public health, health promotion and food systems. She has worked across local government, community health and academia, leading initiatives that improve health equity and strengthen communities.

Our Fundraising & Partnerships Advisory Sub-Committee provides strategic guidance to help strengthen the Foundation's fundraising efforts, build meaningful partnerships, and support the long term success of Little Food Festival.

28/07/2026

The first years of life are critical for establishing healthy eating habits, yet parents are navigating a supermarket filled with baby and toddler foods promoted as healthy through colourful packaging and persuasive nutrition claims.

The evidence tells a different story. Many packaged baby foods are high in sugar, low in key nutrients, and marketed in ways that can make healthier choices harder to identify.

Dr Alex Chung, Accredited Practicing Dietician and Dietetics and Food academic from Monash University, breaks it down with five tips for making nutritious choices, that can help with childhood development.

Read the full piece on our website – link in bio.

Address

Klover Hub, 20 High Street
Northcote, VIC
3070

Website

https://www.sandrodemaiofoundation.org/contact/

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