OzHarvest market aims to minimise waste and feed the hungry

OzHarvest’s supermarket at Kensington has a motto of ‘take what you need and give what you can’. The market is make a huge difference to people in need.

OzHarvest chief executive, Ronnie Kahn.

TAKE what you need and give if you can is the motto behind The OzHarvest Market – Australia’s first rescued food supermarket.

OzHarvest opened the supermarket at Kensington in April to do something by making rescued and donated food and other goods available for all, especially those less fortunate, with no price tags.

The market, which is located on the ground floor of the TOGA Addison Project, receives surplus food daily that would otherwise go to waste from restaurants, caterers and other supermarkets.

It also receives non-perishable items within used-by date from food drives run by local schools and businesses.

OzHarvest tackles food waste and aims to eliminate hunger.

“It’s food for good, that’s good for you,” The OzHarvest Market video states.

Customers are encouraged to take shopping bags to be kind to the environment.

Chief executive Ronni Kahn said the supermarket provided rescued food to those who were possibly not reached through its ordinary service, which has provided more than 60 million meals to people in need at close to 1000 charitable agencies.

“The OzHarvest Market is our latest innovation to tackle food waste and eliminate hunger,” he said.

Oz Harvest Market food display.

“It supports OzHarvest’s purpose to nourish our country by making sure good food does not go to waste and is available to everyone.

“If times are tough and you’re in need of food or other goods, you can take what you need, if you can give something, then please do, it could even be your time or skills.”

The organisation is supporting DoSomething Day on July 19 and is encouraging people to also lend a hand by volunteering time in that market, stacking shelves and cleaning even organising a food drive of non-perishable items.

Do Something Day is Australia’s biggest celebration of volunteering in our communities, recognising the extraordinary contributions made by everyday locals.

It seeks to inspire people to make a difference and give back by volunteering, making a donation or carrying out a simple random act of kindness.

OzHarvest fills bellies not bins.

“There are lots of opportunities for people to get involved and give back to the local community, from volunteer hours in the market, to organising local food drives or donating produce” Ms Kahn said.

“We would love to see more OzHarvest markets pop up.”

The ground-breaking project has been made possible thanks to the current donated retail space from TOGA, which also offers pop-up accommodation for vulnerable youth at Addison Hotel on Anzac Pde.

OzHarvest addresses food security through education programs NEST (nutrition education sustenance training) and Nourish, a hospitality training program for disadvantaged youth.

The OzHarvest Market is run by volunteers and is open weekdays from 10am-2pm.

To get involved, contact [e-mail]

OzHarvest motto is take what you need, give what you can.

WHAT IS DO SOMETHING DAY?

Do Something Day on July 19 is Australia’s biggest celebration of volunteering in our communities, recognising the extraordinary contributions made by everyday locals. It seeks to inspire people to make a difference and give back by volunteering, making a donation or carrying out a simple random act of kindness.

HOW DO I GET INVOLVED?

There are endless ways you can help others - and you don’t need to wait until Dosomething Day to start. However, as July 19 is the focal point of this celebration, it would be great to turn your attention to it on that day. Let the “kind-o-miser” generate a kind deed sugestion for you to do. Try our Do Something Day Quiz which will help match you with a charity that reflects your ideals.

ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Tweet, Instagram or Facebook a picture that captures the spirit of kindness and generosity on Do Something Day - and use the hashtags #dosomethingday and #giveyourbest. It could be a picture of a volunteers at charity you are already involved with. It could be a picture acknowleding someone in your community who selflessly works for others. It could be a snap of the nice person who serves your coffee every day with a smile. so many ways to to acknowledge the kindness in our community.

OzHarvest supermarket at Kensington.