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Love in Every Bite: The Preston Grocer Redefining Care Through Food
From a chance chat over coffee to changing the way people on NDIS and aged care experience food, Northside Grocer is quietly transforming lives — one warm, home-style meal at a time.
“Food isn’t just fuel. It’s memory. It’s comfort. It’s home.”
In a quiet corner of Preston, a little grocer with a big heart is quietly reshaping the way we think about ready-made meals — one lovingly prepared dish at a time. Modelled on the intimate, community-focused grocers of Europe, Northside Grocer is the creation of partners Emma and Greg, who set out to build so much more than just a shop. What they’ve created is a space that feels as if it’s always been there: shelves lined with thoughtfully sourced goods, a glass fridge of house-made meals, and the gentle hum of neighbourly connection.
At first glance, it may look like your classic neighbourhood food haven. But step inside, and you’ll find something far more meaningful — a warm, welcoming sanctuary where food is crafted with heart, care, and an unshakeable belief in its power to nourish not just the body, but the soul. The offering is quietly exceptional: a thoughtfully curated blend of local produce, European imports, coffee, cake and pastries, hand-tied bouquets from The Posy Yard — a micro flower farm based just around the corner, with blooms grown lovingly in the front yard and backyard of neighbouring homes — and those comforting, home-cooked meals that have seen Northside Grocer become a beloved local icon in remarkable time.
It seems almost everyone who lives nearby has popped in — whether for a midweek meal, a thoughtful grocery haul, or just a friendly chat. And more often than not, it’s Emma’s warm smile that greets them at the door, always remembering a name or asking after someone’s day. This is a place woven into the very fabric of the neighbourhood.
What began as a dream on a sun-drenched holiday in Spain — a blend of Greg’s skill as a qualified chef, who stepped back from the kitchen to raise a family before falling in love with cooking all over again, and Emma’s knack for creating heartfelt, human-centred experiences — quickly evolved into something much more. “It really started with our beautiful neighbour,” Emma shares. “She used to pop in for coffee and cake. One day, she brought in one of her Lite & Easy meals for Greg to try — that was the turning point. He just couldn’t stand the idea that this was her only option.”
From there, Northside Grocer found its calling: crafting wholesome, home-style meals for people supported by the NDIS and Home Care Packages. Meals that don’t just nourish the body, but the heart too. Meals that honour tradition, celebrate culture, and quietly restore dignity to those who need it most.
“We had this beautiful brother and sister come in, lifelong Preston locals,” Emma says. “They told us about growing up with their Italian dad, what they used to eat, how food was everything. They said they hadn’t had access to meals like that — ones that actually meant something to them — until now. That’s when it hit us. Food isn’t just fuel. It’s memory. It’s comfort. It’s home.”
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Greg’s cooking — unfussy, soulful, and full of warmth — speaks a language all its own. You can taste it in the slow-braised ragù, reminiscent of Sundays at Nonna’s; in the gloriously cosy indulgence of Northside’s mac ’n’ cheese; in the gentle spice of a chicken curry that wraps around you like a hug; and in the comforting rotation of warming soups. The classics, made beautifully, without pretence. “There’s no magic to it,” Emma insists, “and perhaps that’s the magic itself.”
Northside Grocer now works seamlessly and comprehensively with both Plan-Managed and Self-Managed NDIS participants, as well as Home Care Package clients — many paying only a modest out-of-pocket cost. The process is simple, accessible, and deeply respectful. Clients can order via the Cookaborough platform, and even if their current provider isn’t listed, Northside Grocer will make it work.
But for Emma and Greg, it’s not just about logistics. It’s about people. “It’s a privilege to be part of someone’s daily life in this way,” Emma reflects. “When someone chooses your food, remembers your name, trusts you to feed themselves or their family — that means everything.”
The road hasn’t been easy. Time is tight. Navigating the care sector has been a challenge. But what’s clear is that this is a labour of love. And in a food scene like Melbourne’s — where legacy, culture, and community are everything — Northside Grocer is doing more than feeding people. They’re preserving a culinary heritage, caring for the elders who built it, and making sure no one is left behind.
Their dream? To grow. To open more stores. To keep the conversation going. “We want to be part of Melbourne’s food future,” Emma says. “To ensure delicious, nourishing food is available to everyone — especially those facing challenges, or entering a new chapter in life.”
Because, in the end, this isn’t just a grocer. It’s a quiet revolution — a reminder of what good food can do. How it can connect us, comfort us, sustain us. And in Northside Grocer’s case — how it can change lives.
In every carefully prepared dish and every friendly smile, Emma and Greg are nurturing a community, preserving a legacy, and quietly shaping Melbourne’s food future. Their journey reminds us that sometimes, the simplest meals carry the deepest meaning. For more inspiring stories, check out our self-care chat with Lindy Klim, a sustainable period care conversation with Chantelle Otten, and Khanh Ong’s perfect Melbourne weekend for out-of-towners.
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