OzHarvest celebrates first anniversary in Perth
OzHarvest’s WA manager, Jennifer Keen, said the organisation had delivered more than half a million meals to vulnerable men, women and children.
“Thanks to our yellow army of more than 120 volunteers, we pick up quality excess food from over 80 food donors and deliver it to 50 charitable agencies including homeless service providers, youth drop-in centres and drug rehabilitation centres,” Ms Keen said.
“Our iconic yellow vans take off every morning empty and return at the end of the day, often late at night, empty again.”
About one tonne of quality food is rescued each day from supermarkets, clubs, restaurants and function centres from around Perth and delivered to various service agencies.
Demand for the service continues to grow, Ms Keen said.
“With more than 8000 residents seeking food relief each month there is ever-increasing demand for food relief in the State,” she said.
I was given an opportunity to head out in one of OzHarvest’s yellow vans to see first-hand how the organisation is helping West Aussies who are doing it tough.
It’s hard work, but well worth the effort.
Rain, hail or shine, the vans pick up and sort perishable food from a variety of sources including supermarkets and restaurants.
In an Instagram post I wrote: “In just a few hours we managed to collect 674kg of food.”
During one pick-up, a CBD supermarket donated 270kg of bread, vegetables and fruit — including 25kg of cherries — and, in a lovely gesture, bunches of flowers.
The food was delivered to a variety of charitable organisations, including one in the northern suburbs where a young mother tearfully said: “You guys are fantastic. You have no idea how much this makes a difference to my family.”
Perth restaurateurs are equally supportive of OzHarvest, with many chefs also heading out on the food run to see how their donations can help struggling families.
The Perth branch of the nationwide organisation will celebrate its first anniversary in the CBD tonight at a special cooking event featuring some of Perth’s well-known chefs, including Dan Masters from Rockpool Bar & Grill and Clint Nolan from Pleased to Meet You.
OzHarvest has now teamed up with the United Nations Environment Programme Asia Pacific to educate and raise awareness about the issues of global food waste, food security and sustainability.
“Prominent Thai chefs including Duangporn ‘Bo’ Songvisava and Dylan ‘Lan’ Jones of Bo.lan restaurant, together with a team of chefs from Nahm including Chris Miller, as well as influential Wonderfruit Festival co-founder Pete Phornprapha and Dusit International’s Siradej Donavanik will unite with UN delegates and policymakers to fight food waste at Bangkok’s Think.Eat.Save event on Thursday,” an OzHarvest spokesperson said.
OzHarvest is seeking potential food donors in the Perth area, including supermarkets, restaurants, catering companies, function centres and registered clubs.
For more information visit ozharvest.org.
Source: The West Australian, Grace Millimaci, 30th November 2015
Originally published as: OzHarvest celebrates first anniversary in Perth
