OzHarvest - Coffs Harbour REAP

OzHarvest is a non-denominational charity that rescues excess food which would otherwise be discarded. This excess food is distributed to charities supporting the vulnerable in Sydney, Newcastle, Adelaide and Brisbane.

 

OzHarvest was founded in Sydney, November 2004. We began with one van and delivered 4,000 meals in our first month of operations.

 

Currently in Sydney OzHarvest delivers over 320, 000 meals per month with a fleet of 11 vehicles.

 

Australia wide OzHarvest delivers 441, 500 meals per month with a fleet of 15 vans. This equates to 147 tonnes each month.

 

OzHarvest believes that good food should not go to waste. In fact, by distributing it to those in need, we turn excess food into a resource and save thousands of kilograms of food from being dumped as landfill each year.

 

On average, every kilogram of food that OzHarvest rescues will avoid 2 kg of greenhouse (kg CO2-eq) emissions, and avoid the consumption of 143 litres of water.

 

Food is generously donated by those with excess. By distributing this food to various charities, we assist them to better and more efficiently address the underlying social problems in our society. With this support charities are able to redirect funding to programs assisting those who are disadvantaged or at risk. For example:

 

'The donations of food from OzHarvest enable us to provide snacks for our after-school programs and often we are able to send food home to families for dinner. Being able to provide nutritious food helps improve concentration of young people, as well as assisting families who are struggling financially... As we are a charity, South Sydney PCYC has limited funds available to provide programs to young people in the Redfern and Waterloo area. The generous supply of food from OzHarvest allows us to direct funds to providing various other activities for children.'

- Caroline Bateson, Manager, PCYC South Sydney

 

OzHarvest provides this service at no cost to food donors and recipients.

 

Our team of qualified, dedicated staff and volunteers are passionate about making a positive difference to the thousands of lives we touch.