Published on Wednesday, 8 April 2026 at 8:00:13 AM
The Hedland community has something new to look forward to, with a fresh vendor bringing Japanese‑inspired favourites to the West End.
Rice 2 Meet You is arriving just in time for the busy tourism season, joining the Marapikurrinya Park pop‑up containers initiative and adding more flavourful food options for locals and visitors.
The West End pop‑up initiative, proudly funded by BHP, continues to play a key role in revitalising public spaces and creating a dynamic, welcoming environment in the heart of Port Hedland.
The Town's Acting Manager Planning and Economic Development, Ryley Heap, said initiatives like this enhanced the everyday experience in Hedland.
“This program continues to create real opportunities for small businesses in Hedland, helping them grow and connect with the community,” Mr Heap said.
“We know that Hedlanders are food lovers, so we’re pleased to support Rice 2 Meet You to deliver another great food option for our community.”
BHP Lead Principal Community WA, Patrik Mellberg, said the initiative played an important role in creating a vibrant town centre.
“The West End pop‑up containers bring people together, support local businesses and add to the vibrancy of the town,” Mr Mellberg said.
“As a proud supporter of initiatives that make Port Hedland a better place to live, work and visit, we’re excited to see a new vendor join the precinct.”
By activating under‑utilised areas, the project boosts local business participation and enhances the overall visitor experience.
Rice 2 Meet You’s Winnie Wang said opening a business in Hedland had always been a dream.
“We’ve called Hedland home for the past seven years, and so far it has been an incredible journey,” Ms Wang said.
“We love this community and extend our heartfelt thank you to the Town and BHP for this opportunity."
Agreements with vendors are designed to support business sustainability and growth, ensuring the initiative continues to evolve in response to community demand.
This flexibility allows new offerings to enter the space while strengthening opportunities for existing small businesses.
The initiative reflects the Town’s ongoing commitment to supporting small business, activating key public spaces and delivering unique experiences for the Hedland community.
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Pictured L-R: Patrik Mellberg (BHP Lead Principal Community WA), Jeck and Winnie Wang (Rice 2 Meet You) and Ryley Heap (Town's Acting Manager Planning and Economic Development)
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