Former two-time Australian kickboxing champion, Simon Fenech, is a big believer in the power of food charities and the way they can change people's lives and Fenech ought to know. The ex-offender who's now employed by , a in Victoria, tells SBS his story.
“Prior to 2008, everything I touched in my life turned to gold,” Fenech says. “I had a great paying job. I lived in a double-storey home. I drove an expensive car and rode a motorbike. I always worked really hard and was fit as a fiddle. Then one day, while I was at work, I was struck in the back with a forklift. It damaged the lower discs in my back.”
Fenech’s injury resulted in a chronic pain condition that medication didn’t seem to relieve. “I felt useless as a man, provider, father and partner.” One year in and Fenech was desperate to escape the pain. So he took ice.
An ice addiction followed. His habit quickly grew from $100 to $1,000 a day and soon, he started dealing drugs. in 2015, the former athlete was later charged by the police and sentenced to a year in prison.
“Prison was where I deserved to be. I spent my time in jail trying to rehabilitate myself and got clean. I wanted to start a new life upon my release. But when I got out, I had a criminal record and couldn’t get a job. It felt like I had a stamp on my head saying ‘ex-offender’ or ‘former drug addict’. It was tough.”
Fenech was broke and starving. Then in April 2017, he heard about a non-profit organisation that welcomed people with criminal records as employees. At the time, was a new social enterprise that delivered fruit, milk and pastry items to businesses across Melbourne.
The Fruit2Work team: they deliver fruit, milk and pantry items in exchange for a second chance at employment and a clean life. Source: Supplied by Fruit2Work
Fenech applied for a job and became a delivery driver. “This job saved my life. I was happy to see the customers and they were happy to see me. Suddenly, I didn’t feel like a junkie or ex-offender anymore. I was given a chance to live.”
This job saved my life. I was happy to see the customers and they were happy to see me.
Fast-forward five years and Fenech is now Fruit2Work’s general manager. “This year, Fruit2Work will turn over $5 million. Every dollar the organisation makes goes back into creating more chances for people who experienced prison, just like me.
“Most importantly, Fruit2Work currently employs 36 people. It has helped over 70 ex-offenders transition back into the community as returning citizens. We expect that number to double and triple within the coming years.”
Fenech adds that not one employee has returned back to prison. of ex-offenders return to corrective services within two years of their release, so Fruit2Work’s record is highly noted.
“I truly believe that we are winning the community's trust, showing businesses and employers that people can really change if they’re given a chance.”
Fruit2Work currently has around 700 business customers throughout Melbourne, Geelong and Ballarat including Monash University, Royal Children’s Hospital and Royal Women’s Hospital.
“We deliver and unpack the fruit that a customer orders, and we put the milk in the fridge. In doing this, we create meaningful employment opportunities for former offenders. That helps to provide them with a purpose.”
Fruit is also [culturally and socially] considered to be somewhat of a peace offering.
Challenging stigma with fruit
The ideological mission behind Fruit2Work is to help break down the stigma associated with people who have been through the justice system.
The reality is that many businesses don’t want anything to do with former prisoners upon their release. But if a former offender can’t get a job and ends up destitute, reoffending may become more likely. On the other hand, if they can get a job and earn an income, they could also start a new life.
The beauty of Fruit2Work is its subject matter: fruit and milk are non-threatening. Fenech says the social stigma associated with prison falls to the wayside when fruit and milk are offered.
But through this business, I see doors open every day. People are given another chance to start fresh.
“Food is a necessity that all of us need to live. Fruit is also [culturally and socially] considered to be somewhat of a peace offering. People are always happy to see us when we deliver produce. They can't wait to tear into our boxes.”
More importantly, fruit and milk in this context help humans to connect at a very basic level. This connection results in social change.
“There's not a great deal of light at the end of the tunnel for ex-offenders when they are released from prison and want to make a new start but can’t get a job. But through this business, I see doors open every day. People are given another chance to start fresh.
“Fruit2Work saved my life. I don't know where I would be without it.”
