Coronavirus: Northern Beaches Council and Harris Farm feed vulnerable people

Northern Beaches Council and Harris Farm join forces to feed vulnerable people during coronavirus crisis.

Greengrocer, Harris Farm Markets, is giving away 100 boxes of fresh fruit and veggies each day to people disadvantaged by the coronavirus shutdown. At the company's Manly outlet were (left to right) Kim Williams from Community Co-Op, Luke Harris, co-CEO Harris Farm; Cam Wall, Northern Beaches Council Community Services and; Olivia Penner-Dilworth, OzHarvest. Picture: Supplied.

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Vulnerable people battling to put food on the table during the COVID-19 crisis are receiving a helping hand from local fresh food supplier Harris Farm Markets, community groups and Northern Beaches Council.
They have teamed up to distribute 100 boxes of fresh fruit and vegetables every weekday.

The initiative comes as charities such as OzHarvest and Community Co-op, which provide an important link in the supply of food across the northern beaches, struggling to access food for their clients.

Greengrocer, Harris Farm Markets, is giving away 100 boxes of fresh fruit and veggies each day to assist community groups, such as OzHarvest, feed people disadvantaged by the coronavirus shutdown. Picture: Supplied.

Organisations such as The Salvation Army, Link Church Community Food Care, Grace City Church Foodcare, St Faith’s Church Narrabeen – which runs a program called the Community Pantry – as well as women’s shelters and other community groups help feed hundred of residents.

Staff from the council’s Community Services and Harris Farm at Manly came up with the idea when they were discussing the recent cancellation of a youth basketball event the two organisations were partnering on.

The council has helped organise volunteer community groups to pack the boxes and manage deliveries, including Oz Harvest, Foodbank, local churches and a pool of local volunteers.

Harris Farm is supplying the product, which is moved from a nearby community centre where the packing takes place.

Harris Farm Markets co-CEO Luke Harris is helping distribute boxes of fresh fruit and vegetables to those struggling during the COVID-19 emergency. Picture: Joel Carrett

Mayor Michael Regan said the gesture from the Harris Farm staff was a terrific example of the northern beaches community pulling together in testing times.

“Many people will be doing it tough over the coming months and every little bit will help those in need,” Mayor Regan said.

“Hats off to (co-CEO) Luke Harris and his hardworking staff, the donation of 100 boxes of food each day ongoing will be welcomed with open arms.

Staff at Harris Farm Markets, Manly, are helping pack the 100 boxes of free fruit and vegetables being distributed each day. Picture: Troy Snook

“It was great that Council’s Community Services was able to facilitate getting the food out through Meals on Wheels as well as important distribution services like Oz Harvest and Community Co-op so it gets to the right people quickly.’’

The council is also working on a broader program to help community organisations support their clients in coming months.

Work is underway to establish the needs of high priority organisations such as homeless and domestic violence shelters.

If you would like to be involved, please register your interest by emailing: [e-mail]