For Jennifer Tartaglia, food has always been about much more than what is on the plate. It is about family, culture, connection and the memories created when people come together around a table.
Born in England, Jennifer migrated to Perth with her family in the early 1970s as part of the “Ten Pound Pom” scheme. Growing up in Perth’s northern suburbs alongside her two sisters, some of her earliest memories are tied to cooking and a fascination with food that began when she was just a child.
“I had always loved to cook, and my first memories of cooking were from a little Ladybird book, Cooking with Mother. I still have the book,” Jennifer said.
“When I was around eight years of age, I would work my way through the entire book, cooking a different recipe and ticking off the pages as I went.”
That early love of cooking continued throughout her life and took on a new dimension when she met her husband, whose Italian background introduced Jennifer to a rich world of food, family traditions and home cooking.
From making homemade pasta, sausages and tomato sauce to gathering around the table for long family meals, Jennifer experienced firsthand the important role food can play not only in nourishing people, but in strengthening relationships, celebrating culture and creating a sense of belonging.
“Food brings people together and serves as a powerful expression of love, connection and culture,” she said.
“These experiences reinforced my appreciation for the important role food plays in our lives, not just in nourishing our bodies, but in creating memories, strengthening relationships and building community.”
Jennifer and her husband now have two grown children and, as empty nesters, are enjoying the opportunity to travel and explore more of Western Australia. In recent years they have discovered a love of caravanning, spending time with friends while experiencing the landscapes and communities found across the state.
Yoga has also become an important part of Jennifer’s daily life, helping her slow down, stay present and begin each day with a sense of balance and perspective.
While food had always been a passion, Jennifer’s pathway to turning that passion into a career was not a straight one.
As a teenager, she dreamed of becoming a home economics teacher. But after leaving school at 17, Jennifer instead took a job with the Rural and Industries Bank, better known as the R&I Bank, choosing the opportunity to begin earning money rather than heading to university.
As the years went on, however, she realised it was not the career she wanted for herself.
When her children were both at school, Jennifer decided it was time to take a chance on the dream she had put aside. At 36, she returned to university as a mature-age student to pursue a career in nutrition and public health.
“It was a significant step and one that required courage, determination and a willingness to embrace change,” Jennifer said.
“Looking back, it was one of the best decisions I have made, allowing me to follow a career that combines my passion for food, health and helping others to improve their quality of life.”
Jennifer later went on to complete a Master of Philosophy in public health, developing the research skills that would help prepare her for the leadership role she holds today as Head of Nutrition Education at Foodbank WA.
In her current role, Jennifer leads Foodbank WA’s Educate Strategy and a team of public health nutritionists delivering nutrition education and cooking programs throughout Western Australia.
At the heart of the team’s work is helping people build the knowledge, practical skills and confidence to eat well, while addressing food insecurity and improving health equity through increased food literacy.
Foodbank WA’s approach combines food relief with a comprehensive suite of nutrition education programs, creating opportunities to support people across all stages of life, from school-aged children and young people through to parents, families, adults and people living with disability.
Through Foodbank WA’s nom! programs, participants develop practical food and cooking skills through hands-on learning. Each session finishes with participants sitting down and sharing a meal together, something Jennifer says is often a highlight of the program and an important opportunity to create connection and community.
Jennifer also oversees Foodbank WA’s School Breakfast Program, which supports more than 680 schools and helps provide food to over 36,000 students each week.
Her role is broad, encompassing strategic leadership, funding, budgets and staffing alongside the development of new initiatives, resources and partnerships.
“No two days are ever the same, which is one of the things I enjoy most about my role,” Jennifer said.
One day may involve developing nutrition education resources such as Foodbank WA’s nom! recipe booklets or Superhero Foods resources for children, while another could see Jennifer and her team co-designing culturally relevant resources with partners, exploring opportunities around food waste and sustainability, or overseeing community initiatives such as the nom! Kids Kitchen at the Perth Royal Show.
The role also takes Jennifer beyond Perth and into rural, regional and remote communities across Western Australia.
She describes working alongside communities in areas such as the Pilbara and Goldfields as one of the most rewarding aspects of her work, providing an opportunity to better understand and respond to the unique challenges communities can face in accessing affordable, nutritious food and health services.
“I feel privileged to work with partners across government, health and community sectors, and to spend time in rural, regional and remote communities throughout Western Australia,” she said.
For Jennifer, however, the impact of the work is often most visible in the individual moments and stories that emerge from the programs.
It might be a young student proudly sharing a meal they have cooked for the first time, a parent feeling more confident about establishing positive mealtime routines with their toddler, or an older person reconnecting with their community through a Foodbank program.
“These stories reflect the power of food to bring people together, build confidence and create meaningful change,” Jennifer said.
“Knowing that our work can help people feel more connected, capable and supported is what makes my heart sing.”
Jennifer is equally passionate about the people behind that work and says leadership has been one of the most valuable skills she has developed throughout her career.
Alongside formal professional development, she credits the exceptional leaders she has worked with for helping shape both the leader and person she is today.
The values at the heart of Foodbank WA, including integrity, respect, compassion, collaboration and responsibility, closely reflect Jennifer’s own approach to leadership.
“I believe that when people consistently demonstrate these values, extraordinary things can be achieved,” she said.
Rather than viewing leadership as simply directing others, Jennifer believes it is about creating a clear sense of purpose, building a shared vision and empowering people to use their individual strengths.
“Some of the most effective leadership happens when you support and enable others to succeed,” she said.
“When people feel valued, connected to a shared purpose and empowered to make a difference, the possibilities are endless. My role then becomes less about directing and more about creating the conditions for others to thrive and achieve great outcomes together.”
It is an approach reflected in the way Jennifer speaks about her team, describing herself as fortunate to lead a group of talented and passionate people who share a genuine commitment to improving lives and creating positive change across Western Australia.
From an eight-year-old working her way through the pages of Cooking with Mother, to returning to university at 36 and ultimately leading nutrition education programs reaching communities across the state, Jennifer’s career is also a reminder that the path to meaningful work does not have to be a direct one.
Her advice to anyone considering taking a similar leap is simple.
“Follow your passions and go for it,” Jennifer said.
“Sometimes it is really about facing your fears and still moving forward step by step until you get to your goal. Things may get hard, but you can do hard things.”