Malnutrition (or the risk of malnutrition) affects between 10 and 44% of older people living at home – often silently and invisibly. But ageing doesn’t have to mean losing the joy of food.

The HomePlate Project puts older people at the centre of a conversation about food at home. Through data collection and collaboration, we want to understand the central place of food for health, pleasure, dignity and independence as we age. Running until 2027, this project will uncover real stories, practical solutions, and new ways to support eating well at home.

Read the full HomePlate Project Media Release for details

HomePlate Insight Reports

After months of research and listening to the experiences of older people, the findings from the Maggie Beer Foundation’s HomePlate project are now available. Together, these reports provide valuable insights into the factors that support older people to eat well at home, as well as the barriers they can face.

Download the reports below to explore the findings, or watch the webinar recording featuring Professor Sue Kurrle AO (The University of Sydney), Emeritus Professor Susan Gordon (Think Tank), Jane Mussared (CEO, Maggie Beer Foundation), Clare Faragher (HomePlate Project Lead) and Dylan Jacob (Associate Director, Square Holes). Together, they unpack the research findings and discuss what they mean for older people eating at home.

HomePlate Insights Summary Infographic

National Survey Report

Literature Review

Face to Face Conversations

Live Webinar Recording

Missed the live webinar? Watch the recording below

We’re inviting stakeholders who work with or support older people to share their perspectives on the HomePlate Insights findings.

Your feedback will help us understand what is happening across different sectors, identify what is already making a difference, and inform priorities for future action.

Have your say by completing the short HomePlate Insights stakeholder survey.

HomePlate Insights Stakeholder Survey

Meet the HomePlate Project Lead

Clare Fargher

Project Lead

Project Lead

Clare Fargher

Clare Fargher is a strategic project leader and qualified nutritionist with over 20 years’ experience across hospitality, health, community, and corporate sectors.
Clare brings deep expertise in food literacy, stakeholder engagement, and evidence-based program design. Clare has broad experience ranging from leading large-scale initiatives such as Victoria’s School Breakfast Clubs Program, to developing cooking modules that support healthy ageing for veterans – demonstrating her commitment to improving food access and wellbeing across diverse communities.
Her collaborative, food first, outcomes-driven approach makes her a powerful advocate for older Australians’ nutritional needs and community-based solutions.

HomePlate Project Think Tank

Oversight and strategic direction for the Home Plate Project is provided by a national Think Tank of experts in ageing, nutrition, community services and advocacy:

Jane Mussared

Chief Executive Officer

Jane Mussared

Jane Mussared joined the Maggie Beer Foundation as its Chief Executive Officer in July 2024 following working in an advisory role to the Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care. She had previously been Chief Executive of COTA SA and an operations executive of a not for profit aged care provider. Jane is currently a member of the Voluntary Assisted Dying Review Board, the Social Workers Registration Board of SA and the SA Council of Social Service Board. Jane has a Master’s degree in social work from the University of Michigan.
Professor Briony Dow

Honorary Fellow, National Ageing Research Institute (NARI)

Professor Briony Dow

Professor Briony Dow is an academic social worker with a long-standing commitment to the wellbeing of older people and their families. Whether in direct social work practice or applied research roles, she has sought to improve programs and services designed to support older people. She was Director of the National Ageing Research Institute (NARI) from 2015-2024 and is currently an Honorary Fellow at NARI and the University of Melbourne.
Dr Maddison Mellow

Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of South Australia

Dr Maddison Mellow

Dr Maddison Mellow is a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Healthy Ageing at the University of South Australia. Maddi holds a Bachelor of Psychology (Cognitive Neuroscience) and completed her PhD in 2023, which investigated the links between lifestyle and brain health in older adulthood. Maddi’s current research explores ways in which dementia prevention and healthy ageing strategies can be personalised for individuals based on their environmental, genetic, demographic and health characteristics and contexts. Maddi has worked with the Maggie Beer Foundation in various research roles since 2020.
Sharyn Broer

Chief Executive Officer, Meals on Wheels SA

Sharyn Broer

Sharyn is passionate about helping older people enjoy life and live well through great food and community connection. She has been involved in home and community care since 1991 as an occupational therapist, allied health manager, and as Chief Executive Officer of Meals on Wheels SA since 2010.
Through her clinical, leadership and governance roles over the past 30 years, she has transformed service delivery in changing policy, funding and regulatory contexts. From HACC to CHSP, HCP and NDIS, and now to Support at Home, she holds system-level, provider and family carer perspectives, and champions improved outcomes and social impact across her organisation’s metropolitan, regional, rural and remote locations.
Sharyn is an active member, leader and initiator of advisory groups, industry alliances and peak bodies, past President of Meals on Wheels Australia, Deputy Chair of the Guide Dogs SA/NT Board and is on the ACCPA Member Council.
Professor Susan Gordon

Chair, National Aged Care Advisory Committee

Professor Susan Gordon

Emeritus Professor Sue Gordon is a leader in ageing and aged care, working across clinical, academic, and policy sectors to improve outcomes for older Australians. She has held senior roles at Flinders University and ARIIA, and currently chairs the National Aged Care Advisory Council. Sue brings deep expertise in research, business, and care innovation, with a focus on extending healthy years through evidence-based solutions.
Ruth Nzeribe

Senior Case Manager and Team Lead, Bene Aged Care

Ruth Nzeribe

Supporting a team of Case Managers, Ruth works to help older people remain independent and well in their own homes. With a Bachelor of Health Science and a Master of Public Health, Ruth has built her career across aged care, including residential aged care, dementia support, and community aged care. She is passionate about improving the aged care experience for older people and their families, with a particular interest in maintaining consumer choice, quality and safety, and the food experience as an important part of wellbeing, dignity, independence, culture, connection, enjoyment, and everyday quality of life. Ruth brings a practical, consumer-focused frontline perspective to the HomePlate Think Tank, informed by her commitment to meaningful improvements in the way care is delivered.