Nonna's Cucina Timeline

In the late 1970s and early 1980s the state and Commonwealth government recognised that the multicutural communities were not utilising government servcies.They acknowledged that these services needed to be better adapted to meet the needs of our diverse population.

In l988, Margaretha Hanen - Ethnic Consultant for the Office of the Commissioner for the Ageing, prepared a discussion paper about developing food services for South Australia's multicultural and ageing population.

In 1999, PISA's forerunner, the Italian Meal Service, was established under the auspice of Multicultural Aged Care (MAC) with funding provided by the Home and Community Care (HACC) program. The Executive Team, consisted of Franca Antonello, Silvio Iaderola and Gosia Skalban who wrote the organisation's first policies which guided its operations.

At this time meals were purchased from the St Hilarion Aged Care Facility to serve clients in the western and southern suburbs and the Italian Benevolent Foundation to serve clients in the eastern suburbs. They were delivered by volunteers who were familiar with the Italian culture and language.

In 2004, the Italian Meal Service separated from MAC and became an incorporated independent body. It took the trading name PISA, which is an abbreviation of: Pasti Italiani e Servizi per Anziani and became responsible for managing its own finances and reporting mechanisms.
At this time Nonna's Cucina moved to its premises at Firle where it has a fully functioning kitchen that enabled it to begin cooking its own authentic Italian meals and begin to serve clients in Adelaide's north-eastern suburbs.

In 2008 Pisa started to provide meals to the southern metro area of Adelaide. In this time they built a strong relationship with both the Marion council and the Glandore centre.

In 2011, Pisa fulfilled its strategic plan by opening another kitchen/café at Torrensville. We operated out of the 2 kitchens for a period of 5 years.

In 2013 Pisa held its very first major lottery which was drawn at the dinner dance. They fundraised by auctioning off a car. The money raised from this night was directed towards buying hot boxes, essential equipment for the efficent and temperature controlled delivery of meals.

In 2015, Pisa implemented the My Aged Care program, which led to a significant change in their service protocols. Under this new system, clients aged 65 and older could no longer be admitted directly to services for an immediate start. Instead, individuals in this age group were required to first engage with the My Aged Care program, which would facilitate their access to appropriate services and support. This shift aimed to streamline the process and ensure that community members over the age of 65 received the necessary assistance through a more structured and managed approach.

In 2017, PISA amalgamated the services into a brand new kitchen at 12 Hardy Street Royal Park. We have satellite drop off points where volunteers meet to pick up the eskies for delivery to clients.

Following this in 2018, PISA purchased the building and fulfilled its strategic plan.

In 2019, Pisa underwent a rebranding and was renamed Nonna's Cucina. This marked a significant change as the company adopted its new identity, Nonna's Cucina.

Following this in 2020, Nonna's Cucina logo and apron was trademarked.

In 2020, we saw an opportunity to engage with a broader range of the community by embracing diversity and revamping our menu. As apart of this initiative, we introduced "The Grandma Menu,"a new selection designed to offer a wider variety of dishes and cater to clients seeking different culinary experiences. This change allowed us to better serve our diverse clientele and expand our reach.

In 2021, we began using a new map packing machine following extensive testing and trials. This upgrade has enhanced our meal presentation, providing a cleaner and more professional look, as well as offering improved heating options for our clients.

In 2021, Nonna's Cucina proudly launched its first-ever Briscola World Cup. The event was a tremendous success, leading to its establishment as an annual tradition. Today, the Briscola World Cup stands as our most significant fundraiser of the year. It not only provides essential support for our initiatives but also serves as a vibrant platform to celebrate and showcase our food, staff, community, and honor our rich Italian heritage and culture.

In 2023, Nonna's Cucina acquired a new site at Holden Hill, located at 30 Lyons Road. This expansion is designed to accommodate our growing demand and enhance our operational capacity. We invite you to stay updated on our website and social media platforms for the latest information and announcements regarding our move to this exciting new location.

We look forward to the future and the continued success of Nonna's Cucina, made with love, shared with joy

Nonna's Cucina Timeline

Nonna's Cucina - Made with love, shared with joy

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