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Ed Sheeran Helps Launch Food Relief Program In Melbourne

Mary Varvaris

Ed Sheeran cooked his "signature Beef Bolognese Lasagna & TinglyTeds chilli chicken with rice" alongside The Big Umbrella's chefs and volunteers.

Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran(Credit: Petros Studio)
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Melbourne-based The Big Umbrella Foundation (TBU) has been serving restaurant-quality meals to people in need since 2010, and this week, it unveiled a new initiative alongside Ed Sheeran.

This week, The Big Umbrella officially launched EAT.ATM. The Australian-first social enterprise has been created to transform how food relief is delivered, centring on people experiencing food insecurity, hardship, or crisis.

Taking to social media, the Big Umbrella team revealed that Ed Sheeran helped them launch the program and even cooked some meals: his “signature Beef Bolognese Lasagna & TinglyTeds chilli chicken with rice, alongside our chefs and volunteers.”

Additionally, Matt Gudinski and the crew at Mushroom Group and Mushroom Creative have given the organisation “incredible support” in bringing together the partnership with a world-renowned superstar.

According to a 7 News Melbourne report, Sheeran’s signature dish will be available to all.

EAT.ATM utilises smart food vending machines to provide people with free, hot, nutritious meals to those in need. The food will be available at any time, while prioritising discreet delivery, preserving dignity and reducing stigma.

The first machines will be installed in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD – at Federation Square – soon. More locations will be unveiled in the coming months, with the hopes of launching at Southern Cross and Town Hall train stations, and the Big Umbrella has plans to expand the initiative nationally.

The Big Umbrella has spotlighted its “buy one, give one” model, in which every meal purchased will provide a free meal for someone in need. Those interested or able to contribute can donate a meal via the Big Umbrella website.

The organisation has a simple goal: to provide one million meals to people in need.

In 2021, The Big Umbrella launched MG’s Kitchen—named in honour of music industry legend Michael Gudinski. He was a mentor to the organisation’s founder & CEO, Justin Dickinson.

Each day, The Big Umbrella’s team cooks over 250 meals from scratch in a 3-hour window. The meals are tasted and plated before serving to the public, providing street service in Federation Square and state-wide for emergency relief efforts.

Ed Sheeran just concluded his Loop Tour of Australia and New Zealand, saying farewell to fans Down Under with a massive show at Adelaide Oval last night (5 March). That show followed three nights at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium and a surprise appearance at Maisie Peters’ recent show at the Forum.