JourneyOnline
WASTED FOOD is a natural result of the hospitality industry, but OzHarvest Founder and CEO Ronni Kahn decided that she
could not stand by and watch as the twin problems of food waste and hunger co-existed.
After researching options for dealing with food waste and coming up empty, Ms Kahn decided to start up a food rescue
charity herself.
November 2004 saw the launch of OzHarvest in Sydney, a one-of-a-kind program that collects fresh surplus food from
restaurants, supermarkets and other food sellers and distributes it to people in need with a sameday service.
Seven years and one million meals later, OzHarvest have locations across Sydney, Canberra, Newcastle and Adelaide.
Now they have formed a partnership with Wesley Mission Brisbane to launch in Brisbane.
Wesley Mission Brisbane Executive Director, Geoff Batkin, said he was looking forward to the fruits of their labour.
“We are looking forward to the difference this new initiative will make to charities throughout the region,” he said.
“It is an important service which will not only address environmental issues of food waste, but also help organisations
to better support people in need.”
Veteren OzHarvest truck driver Bob Hannah has made the move up from Sydney to help out with the fledgling Brisbane
service.
“There’s nothing better than seeing the smiles on their faces when we deliver food,” he said.
“It’s a good feeling at the end of the day, when we go home knowing that people in need have something in their tummies.
“Some places will go out of their way to prepare meals for us while they’re working.”
For more information visit www.ozharvestbrisbane.org or call 3621 2097
Photo : OzHarvest Founder and CEO Ronni Kahn, the Hon Teresa Gambaro MP, Federal Member for Brisbane, and WMB Executive Director, Geoff Batkin launch the Brisbane project. Photo by Rochelle Nolan
