'Massive blow': Jobs go as business offering training for people with a disability closes

Tasty Plate Cafe, which also has a catering arm, will cease operation as of Monday, January 8, 2024.

The business, which was established in 2012 and was taken over by Brophy in 2017, had 19 staff members and 14 NDIS participants.

Brophy Family and Youth Services chief executive officer Francis Broekman said the business was no longer viable.

"We have been considering this for the last three years," Mr Broekman said.

"Since the onset of COVID, we became unviable as a catering business, as one would expect.

"We have been trying to build up the profile again - both in terms of catering and attracting participants to the business."

Mr Broekman said over the past 18 months Brophy had done all it could to save the business.

"We've undertaken a concerted effort to move into the disability networks and get into schools to get our profile out there as a service that is out there to support people with disabilities and offer training to prepare them for open employment.

"We've had a lot of inquiries but we haven't been able to recruit the participants we need to remain sustainable."

Mr Broekman said he believed changes to a number of NDIS packages had resulted in people choosing to use their funds for programs or services other than supported employment like Tasty Plate.

"The key issue for Tasty Plate is related to its NDIS funding base," he said.

"Tasty Plate's business model is reliant on two forms of revenue. One is NDIS funding to support its participants and the second is the catering revenue to cover operational costs."

Mr Broekman said NDIS participant-funded packages had continued to diminish in number and funding amount over the past three years.

"Our significant investments, especially over the past 18 months to recruit new participants have not materialised and the participant pool has declined to less than 20 part-time participants," he said.

"Sadly, participant-funded packages are also being reduced. With more choices for participants in a maturing market, Tasty Plate is no longer the destination needed during this prolonged COVID transition."

Mr Broekman said rising costs had also had also been a factor in closing the business.

"In addition, Tasty Plates' operational expenses have been significantly impacted by inflation and workforce conditions," he said.

"The cost of goods has soared and so too have wages and conditions."

Member for South West Coast Roma Britnell said she was shocked and extremely disappointed with the decision to close the business.

"There has been no consultation with the community which has supported this business," she said.

"The community hasn't been given the opportunity to support it and make sure it remains viable."

Staff and participants were informed of the decision on Monday.

Mr Broekman said Brophy was working with each participant and redeployment options were being considered for staff.

He said it was a very difficult decision to make.

"The culture and the way in which staff have worked at Tasty Plate and helped create opportunities for people in open employment will be its legacy," Mr Broekman said.

"Tasty Plate and Brophy would like to thank the many regular catering customers who have supported Tasty Plate each year as their way of supporting Tasty Plate's mission."

Mr Broekman also thanked members of the community for supporting the cafe.

"We thank the 19 staff for their passion and the quality of their service over the years," he said.

'Staff members have been very proactive in building their qualification base both in disability support and hospitality, providing a strong tailored, and quality service.

"They can be extraordinarily proud of what they have achieved and the spirit they have shown in the most challenging of times and circumstances.

"And most of all, Tasty Plate and Brophy would like to thank the participants and their families for their involvement in Tasty Plate.

"We will continue to support them in their journey to transition safely to their next endeavours, as they take some of Tasty Plate's beliefs in people, opportunity, and growth with them."

Ms Britnell urged the state government to step in to help the business stay open until it recovered.

"This is a massive blow to the participants," she said.

"The state government should plug the funding gap during this recovery period."

Ms Britnell also questioned the lack of NDIS funding affecting the business' viability.

"This business was viable before NDIS existed," she said.