Since Thursday afternoon when the lockdown was announced, it has been a whirlwind for Ballarat businesses as they have had to adapt to the restrictions.

A wedding booked for Saturday catering for 55 guests at Magpie's Allurah Functions and Events was cancelled, leaving owner Leon Lavery with a fridge full of fresh produce.

He said while it was disappointing for the couple getting married and for his business, which is ineligible for government help, he wanted to turn the situation into a positive one.

On Friday morning, the chef began to turn the fresh produce into three different types of soup to make available to residents, which he communicated through social media.

He said the response was overwhelming and he had to put a stop to the orders within a few hours.

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People from across the community placed orders for the soup in support of the family-run business and to get themselves through the lockdown.

"I just started it as an exercise to show my two daughters, aged five and eight, the positives of the situation. We are under the pump now with soup orders. Feeling overwhelmed is an understatement," Mr Lavery said.

"We have 200 litres of soup and orders just keep continuing. It shows the power of social media."

Mr Lavery said because of the demand, he had to purchase extra produce through Ballarat businesses Conapak Produce and Natures Cargo which was a "win" for them.

The couple who were forced to cancel their wedding, still plan to get married this weekend in line with restrictions and have already re-booked Allurah Functions and Events to renew their vows.

Mr Lavery, who operates the business with his wife Kylie Lavery, said he was thinking of everyone during the lockdown.

Ballarat family-run business Dinkum Foods was left with 4000 doughnuts with nowhere to go after the ALF cancelled Saturday's anticipated AFL Sydney derby at Mars Stadium.

Following The Courier's article on Thursday, the Ballarat community and businesses came together to support Dinkum Foods.

"The response from the Ballarat community and local businesses has been overwhelming and we are very grateful," Dinkum Foods director Adam Pearce said.

"While these COVID lockdowns are hard on many people and businesses, they really seem to bring out the best in people."

Mr Pearce said he received calls from businesses, including Haymes and Concentrix, who offered to buy doughnuts for their staff.

Other businesses offered to host the doughnut van over the weekend.

"Thanks to everyone who has supported us and we encourage everyone to think local and support Ballarat businesses through this difficult time," Mr Pearce said.

"We would love to thank our local suppliers who have been super flexible in taking back unused stock."

The suppliers include Peter from Wendouree Wholesalers, Paul from Bake and Grind, Matt from Wendouree Cellarbrations and Lenny from Ballarat Icecream Distributors.

Dinkum Foods will open its van at the Ballarat Showgrounds on Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 5pm to try and sell the doughnuts prepared for the football.

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