OzHarvest

OzHarvest has joined forces with The Great Unwaste campaign by End Food Waste Australia, to tackle the staggering 2.5 million tonnes of edible food wasted by Australian households each year.   We have a shared vision, to drive meaningful change to help achieve Australia’s national commitment to halving food waste by 2030. We’ll work together to promote evidence-based tactics and innovative tools to empower everyday Australians to fight food waste at home.   Look out for exciting things to come from this collaboration!   #OzHarvest #TheGreatUnwaste #FightFoodWaste #TurnFoodWasteAround #UseItUp #Sustainability #CollectiveAction

Did you know food waste costs Australian households $2,000 - $2,500 per year? That's money you could be saving or spending on things you actually need. Let’s turn that waste into savings while helping our planet 🌍. Swipe to see how you can make a difference this year!

“Whilst food rescue fills bellies, education transforms lives” Ronni Kahn AO At OzHarvest, our focus on education is not just as a tool for learning, but as a catalyst for creating positive change, healthier communities and a sustainable future. Today, on United Nations International Day of Education, we celebrate that education is key to achieving all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and are proud of our contribution through our education pillar to achieving SDG 4 – Quality Education. Every day, we see firsthand the power of education, as a crucial part of addressing the root causes of food insecurity, food waste, and good nutrition. By equipping people with knowledge and skills, we’re empowering individuals and communities to break the cycle of dependency and create lasting change. Here’s a snapshot of OzHarvest’s three education programs driving impact across Australia: 🍳 Our NEST program teaches vulnerable people how to cook nutritious and affordable meals, creating community connections and improving food security. Last year , we ran nearly 900 sessions, empowering over 1,700 participants.    📖 FEAST is our free curriculum aligned program for primary and high school students to reduce food waste, make positive food choices and inspire them to be future change-makers! Over 1,400 schools are enrolled, with over 80,000 students empowered to take action for a better future.     🥬 Our youth program Nourish™ equips young people facing barriers to education with life skills, hospitality training, and pathways to employment. To date, over 300 students have graduated with a Certificate II in Cookery, and many returning to education or securing meaningful jobs.  Every day we see the profound impact our programs have on communities, from students to teachers like Emily Duff from Sunbury Heights Primary School. Emily has seen firsthand how FEAST transformed her students’ lives: “Even the most disengaged students are now excited to attend school, cooking at home, and eager to become role models. It’s been inspiring to see how the program has sparked confidence, connection, and a sense of purpose in our students.” Today, we’re reminded that every meal rescued, every skill shared, and every life empowered brings us closer to a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive - one lesson, one life, one community at a time. #InternationalDayOfEducation #SustainableDevelopment #EducationForAll #FoodSecurity #UNSDGs #OzHarvest

📣 Calling all teachers! 👩🏫🍎 Kick off the new school year with FEAST, our FREE 10-week curriculum-aligned program that empowers primary and high school students to: ☑️ Make positive food choices ☑️ Reduce food waste ☑️ Become community change-makers 🎉 What’s included? 🍲 Hands-on cooking activities (no kitchen required – we provide the kits!) 📚Flexible, ready-to-go online learning resources: 10 detailed lesson plans, worksheets, videos & recipes 💡 Support from the FEAST team to tailor the program to your school’s needs ✨A culminating student-led project to share their knowledge and inspire others! Let’s inspire the next generation of food waste warriors! 🌏 Register now to secure your spot for the new school year!

We are incredibly grateful for the amazing community of supporters who stand behind our mission to Nourish Our Country. As we step into 2025, the need has never been more urgent—more people than ever are facing hunger and food insecurity. But with your help, we know we can make a powerful impact. Whether you’re donating, volunteering, or spreading the word, there are so many ways you can get involved and help us deliver meals to those who need it most. Here are 7 ways you can make a difference today. 💛

WOW! Before we say goodbye to 2024, we have the BEST news to share – we have raised more than 7.5 MILLION MEALS for those in need through this year’s Annual Woolworths Christmas Appeal! 💛💚 Every year we are blown away by YOUR generosity – to every Woolies shopper who clicked YES to round up at the till and bought gift tag, THANK YOU! And to our wonderful friends and National Partner of 10 years Woolworths Supermarkets who continue to support our mission to ‘Nourish our Country,’ we are so incredibly grateful. Thank you for another incredible year. 👏🏻✨

At OzHarvest, we know that our work would not be possible without the unwavering dedication of everyone, especially our frontline people. As the year comes to an end, we want to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude to the extraordinary individuals who make our mission of food rescue and hunger relief come to life every single day. To our food rescue drivers – you are the heartbeat of OzHarvest, tirelessly on the road, collecting and delivering rescued food to those who need it most. Your hard work ensures that nutritious food reaches communities across Australia helping to reduce food waste while nourishing those in need.🚖 To the teams working at our markets in Sydney and Adelaide – your kindness, compassion, and commitment to making fresh food accessible to all is a gift to those facing food insecurity. You are the face of hope, offering not just food but dignity and respect to every person who walks through our doors.🥑 And to those who serve at our Refettorio Sydney, where delicious meals are shared with those who are experiencing hardship – you are creating a space of warmth, community, and care. The meals you prepare and the smiles you share are not just about feeding the body, but also nourishing the soul.🧆 Each one of you plays a pivotal role in Nourishing our Country. Thank you💛

Celebrating the incredible achievements of our Nourish graduates! After a full semester of growth, learning, and connection, we are so proud to celebrate the graduation of 29 extraordinary Nourish students across Sydney, Newcastle, and Adelaide, who have officially earned their Certificate II in Cookery! This milestone marks not only 18 weeks of hard work and dedication but also a journey of building life skills, meaningful friendships, and pathways to further education and employment in the hospitality industry. The Nourish graduation ceremony is truly one of the most special days at OzHarvest, filled with pride, joy, and inspiration. As one Adelaide student shared: "What I love most about the Nourish program is the connection and community it creates. I’ve made lifelong friends, and I’ve had the chance to visit incredible hotels, restaurants, and cafés, giving me a real insight into the hospitality industry and the jobs we can pursue. The Nourish team made me feel like I’m part of the OzHarvest family, and for that, I’m so grateful.” This year has been extra special as we successfully delivered Nourish across all locations with our new national registered training orgnisation Allara Learning. A heartfelt thank you to our incredible donors and supporters, including our Nourish national partner Lendlease, whose support makes this life-changing program possible. Congratulations to all our graduates—you make us so proud, and we can’t wait to see where your Nourish journey takes you next! Special thanks to 19 On-Green Community Centre, Allara Learning, Adelaide Institute of Hospitality, Adelaide Convention Centre, Belmont 16s, bp, The Brocas, Canva, CBD College, City of Charles Sturt Council, Chef Works Australia, Common Ground Permaculture, Dress for Success, Dress for Work, Family Planning, FWH Foundation, HOYTS Group, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Insignia Financial, Josie’s Coffee, Lendlease, Mas National, Matana Foundation, Marrickville Legal Centre, Maxima, Morialta Trust, Mosaic Hotel, Nando's Australia & New Zealand, Nisbets, PCYC Lake Macquarie, The Pear Café, Placed Recruitment, Radish Catering, Rotary Charlestown, The Salvation Army, Sheldon and Hammond, Sullivan Consulting, Vittoria, Venues NSW, Wests Group, Woolworths Supermarkets, Working Women’s Centre and YMCA St Clair.

Yesterday, our CEO, James Goth, proudly handed over a food waste petition signed by more than 26,800 of our incredible community members to Minister for the Environment Tanya Plibersek. 🙌 This petition highlights the urgent need for bold government action to cut food waste in Australia. 🌏✨  Together, we’re calling on the Minister to: - Shake up the food labelling system to reduce food waste  - Support businesses committed to reducing food waste for good  - Endorse the National Food Donation Tax Incentive  - Increase support for organics collections (for that unavoidable food waste!) With this petition, we’re sending a clear message: It's time to make fighting food waste a priority. 💪🍽️ With only 5 years left to reach our national target of halving food waste by 2030, what are we waiting for?! Thank you to over 26,800 of you who signed and supported this important cause. Your voice matters, and change is possible when we stand together! 

We are so excited to welcome Wilson Parking Australia as our newest Partner to OzHarvest! 💛 Their incredible commitment will help us deliver an additional 400,000 meals per year to those in need. We kicked off the partnership with a national Lunch and Learn session, empowering Wilson staff to save food (and money!) at home with our Use It Up program. Their Adelaide team has already jumped in, participating in Cooking for a Cause, with more events planned nationwide. This Christmas, they’re also running a food drive and a Tree of Goodness to spread holiday cheer and support our mission. Thank you, Wilson Parking, for joining us to fight food waste and feed those in need!