The food served at Bonegilla was based on Army rations. There was a common week-long menu but many migrants remember, with disgust, the regular use of Mutton on the menu. Cut lunches were prepared for school children and those who had work outside the centre.
While the typically Australian food was plentiful it was often foreign to the migrants who had their own cultural food and eating practices.
The Italians’ anger over the type of food being served at Bonegilla contributed to two riots at the Centre. After the 1952 riot, Italian cooks were appointed to the Italian blocks with special supplies of fish, macaroni, spaghetti, salt, tomato puree, olive oil, garlic, and coffee
Eventually, more migrant cooks were employed and the quality of cooking improved.
Migrants queued Army style for each meal, with their trays, crockery, and cutlery, and ate in communal dining rooms.
Families returned to the same table for each meal to try and personalise the communal eating area. Many objected to the food being served and repetitive menus, others enjoyed not having to cook, and others were quietly grateful.
Nobody was allowed to take food from the kitchen or mess, and private cooking was forbidden, presumably as a fire and health hazard.