Background
- Charity name: OzHarvest
- Charity Location: Australia
- Charity partner since: 2013
- Charity meals donated: 230,674
Why We Support This Charity
BioPak is proud to announce its partnership with food rescue organisation OzHarvest, which will help feed thousands of people in need and fight the war on food waste.
OzHarvest’s framework for food rescue saves millions of kilos of good food from landfill and redistributes to people in need.
Up to 200,000 Meals Donated Every Year
We have supported OzHarvest since 2015, and in 2022 we formalised our partnership to help them deliver up to 200,000 meals over the course of the year to some of Australia’s most vulnerable communities.
Every dollar donated can feed two Australians, and we are humbled to know that our contribution can allow OzHarvest to deliver an additional 200,000 meals over the course of the year.
About the Charity
OzHarvest is Australia’s leading food rescue organisation, collecting quality excess food from commercial outlets and delivering it directly to more than 1,300 charities supporting people in need across the country. They are a community-oriented food rescue organisation that also runs sustainability training programs and zero waste events.
Founded in 2004 by Ronni Kahn AO, after noticing the huge volume of good food going to waste from the hospitality industry, she decided there had to be a better way. Starting in Sydney with one van – the first of many donations from Goodman+ Foundation – she delivered 4,000 meals in the first month.
BioPak is also the official packaging supplier of OzHarvest’s Community Cook-Off, the charity’s flagship fundraiser where business leaders, teams and chefs will come together to cook thousands of meals for some of Australia’s most vulnerable every year in May.
OzHarvest Founder and CEO, Ronni Kahn AO says that the need for food relief has hit an all-time high in the last two years with 1 in 6 Australians being severely food insecure.
“The impact of the bushfires, drought, floods and COVID-19 has seen more people than ever turn to charities for help. We have seen demand for our services increase at a time when our resources are most under pressure. The Community CookOff will bring people together to connect over great food at the same time as raising valuable funds to help keep our wheels turning. If you’re looking for a way to re-engage your team with purpose and fun, this is it!” said Ronni.
Photo credit: Ronni Kahn AO speaks about the BioPak and composting at the CEO Cookoff 2019.
Photo credit: Ronni Kahn AO speaks about the BioPak and composting at the CEO Cookoff 2019.
Our Impact
Food waste feeds climate change. Australia’s food waste is more than 7.6 million tonnes each year, while 3.6 million people still rely on food relief. If food waste were a country, it would be the 3rd largest emitter of greenhouse gases. OzHarvest’s work rescues food from going to waste while feeding those in need. They are truly maximising social impact while minimising environmental impact. Their “why” speaks to our “why”.
The BioCrew being the change they want to see in the world.
The BioCrew being the change they want to see in the world.
Each year, the BioCrew make their way down to the OzHarvest warehouse and get busy with whatever help that’s required – often taking on tasks such as packing food relief hampers and handing out food supplies at the OzHarvest hamper hubs. Our team members are driven by a genuine belief that we can make a difference. It is important for us to enact the values that we spout.
Attendees of the OzHarvest CEO CookOff.
Attendees of the OzHarvest CEO CookOff.
We have also partnered with them on several occasions to run zero waste events by donating compostable plates, bowls, cups and cutlery which were collected after use and composted at local facilities. By working collaboratively to assess the packaging requirements and plan the waste management logistics, we’ve managed to take the annual OzHarvest CEO CookOff to a plastic-free event where all packaging and food scraps are recycled into nutrient rich compost. These charity events make an enormous positive contribution to the community and have the power to inspire positive change for the planet.
OzHarvest CEO, Ronni Kahn AO speaks about the BioPak and composting at the CEO Cookoff 2019.
OzHarvest CEO, Ronni Kahn AO speaks about the BioPak and composting at the CEO Cookoff 2019.
Our story with them continues with the OzHarvest Food Truck and you could play a big part! By hiring the Food Truck for your next event, you enable OzHarvest to deliver a nourishing lunch, free of charge, to a charity or community event for vulnerable Australians. Any leftovers can be packaged at the end of the event and redistributed to people in need. Served with BioPak fully compostable packaging and cutlery, nothing goes to waste.
Actually, to play a role in the OzHarvest story is much simpler than hiring a truck. You’re already part of it. For it is only through our customers’ (your), support in our business that we are able to do what we do. It is together with our customers that we’re able to support projects like these and together that we will be able to bring about meaningful, positive change.
