Future Foodies:
Where little tastebuds grow big dreams.
At Journey Early Learning, food is never just food. It’s love, learning, and belonging — served fresh every day. That’s why we created Future Foodies: our very own nutrition and food education program, thoughtfully designed to fuel growing bodies, spark curious minds, and help children fall in love with healthy eating for life. We’re incredibly proud that this is a Journey original.
“We invented Future Foodies because we couldn’t find a food program that truly matched our values – one that celebrated healthy eating, sparked curiosity, and made children feel part of something special.”
Ryan Meldrum | Co-Founder
And that’s precisely what we’ve built — a program that goes far beyond the kitchen.
A Family-Centred Philosophy
As parents, we all want the very best for our children — to know they’re safe, loved, and thriving when we’re not there. We want them to be surrounded by people who care, in an environment that nurtures their growth. And while food might seem like a small piece of the puzzle, it’s one of the most powerful building blocks in a child’s day.
With Future Foodies, we give families peace of mind that their child is enjoying nutritious, balanced meals that support both body and mind. Even more, we create moments around food that are joyful, inclusive, and deeply connected to a child’s sense of wellbeing. Because when children eat well, they feel well — and that shows up in everything they do.
A Whole-Child Approach
to Food
Future Foodies is so much more than what’s on the plate. It’s a fully integrated part of every child’s learning journey. From garden-to-table activities to food-themed stories and cooking together in the rooms — food is explored, celebrated, and enjoyed in playful, meaningful ways every single day.
Children help mix, stir, smell, taste and talk about food. They chat with chefs, visit the veggie patch, and take part in cultural food days that reflect the incredible diversity of our Journey families. These joyful experiences help children build a positive relationship with food — and with each other.
In our rooms, educators embed food into the curriculum in age-appropriate and engaging ways — from role play and literacy to science and sustainability. Because understanding food isn’t just about health — it’s about confidence, connection, and care.
Made Fresh.
Made With Love.
Made Just for Them.
Every meal is freshly prepared onsite by our talented centre chefs, using seasonal ingredients and expert guidance from Accredited Practising Dietitian Teri Lichtenstein. But they’re not doing it alone — our dedicated Chef Mentor works side-by-side with our chefs, providing inspiration, training, and support to ensure every plate meets the highest standards of nutrition, taste, and care.
Our chefs are part of a connected, passionate team, sharing ideas and learning from each other to bring the very best to your children. We don’t just tick the nutritional boxes — we make food that children want to eat. Wholesome, colourful, and packed with flavour.
And because we believe every child deserves to feel at home at the table, our menus are carefully tailored to suit allergies, cultural practices, and individual preferences. Whether your child is vegetarian, Halal, dairy-free or just a little particular — we’re here to support their needs with kindness and care.
Future Foodies is headed up by Teri Lichtenstein, an accredited nutritionist and dietician with over 25 years experience. Teri is a member of Dieticians Australia, Sports Dieticians Australia, and was a Board Director of Nutrition Australia from 2017 to 2021. As a mother of two children, she understands that it’s vital to develop good eating habits from a young age. For Teri, it’s about keeping it real and focusing on not only nutrition, but also taste, novelty and inclusion.
Future Foodies Menu
At Journey, our menus change with the seasons so we can use the freshest produce all year round. This means children enjoy meals that are wholesome, full of flavour, and excitingly different as the seasons change.
We work closely with families to cater for allergies, cultural practices, and individual preferences, so every child feels included and at home at the table.
Because food isn’t just about nutrition — it’s about belonging, exploration, and joy.
A quick, wholsome dinner the whole family will love
Looking for a dinner that’s fast to prepare, packed with flavour, and guaranteed to please little and big appetites alike? This miso salmon with soba noodles ticks every box. In just a few simple steps – and with everyday ingredients – you’ll have a nourishing meal on the table that celebrates fresh vegetables, tender salmon and a touch of natural sweetness. Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe is a favourite for our Future Foodies, introducing children to exciting new tastes and textures while keeping things gentle and familiar.
Our Miso Salmon with Soba Noodles
Serves Four | Prep 10 minutes + 1 hour marinating | Cooking 10 minutes
What you’ll need:
- 2 Tbsp miso paste
- 2.5 Tbsp tamari (low salt soy sauce)
- 2.5 tsp honey (optional and only for children older than one year of age)
- 2.5 tsp fresh lime juice
- 600g skinless salmon fillet with bones removed, cut into 3cm pieces
- Oil spray for cooking
- 2 tsp sesame oil (or any cooking oil)
- 2 bunches of broccolini, cut into 5cm pieces
- 2 cups snow peas, trimmed and halved
- 4 spring onions, finely chopped
- 400g soba noodles, prepared according to packet instructions
Step One
Place miso, tamari, honey and lime juice in a bowl and combine. Add salmon and toss to coat. Refrigerate for at least one hour or overnight.
Step Two
Spray a medium-sized frying pan with cooking oil and heat over medium heat. Cook salmon pieces for about 5 minutes, turning regularly to ensure all sides are cooked. Remove salmon and set aside.
Step Three
Using the same pan, add sesame oil and heat over medium heat. Add the broccolini, snow peas and spring onions and cook whilst
stirring for about 5 minutes, until vegetables are tender but still holding their shape.
Step Four
In a mixing bowl, combine soba noodles, salmon and veggies and toss well.
Tips
- Soba noodles are gluten-free, just choose gluten-free tamari to keep the whole dish gluten-free.
- Any seasonal vegetables can be used – try carrot sticks, asparagus, green beans or bok choy.
- For a vegetarian option, replace salmon with firm tofu.
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Creating Healthy Habits That Last a Lifetime
The early years are a magical time to lay the foundation for lifelong habits. When children are invited to explore a wide variety of fresh, nourishing foods in a fun and pressure-free way, they build confidence, curiosity, and a joyful connection to food that stays with them well into the future.
At Journey, we’re proud to make food a celebration — not a struggle. Future Foodies gives children the tools, the experiences, and the encouragement to make great food choices for themselves. Not just today, but for life. Because when food is this joyful, the possibilities are endless.
