OzHarvest and Woolworths have reached the milestone of providing 100 million meals to Australians in need, through a decade of food rescue partnership.
With a third of Australian households experiencing food insecurity and ongoing cost of living pressures, the demand for food relief remains high.
To help combat this, OzHarvest teams collect fresh food from more than 550 Woolworths supermarkets and distribution centres across the country each week, which is then delivered directly to more than 1500 charities that help feed people in need.
OzHarvest founder and CEO, Ronni Kahn, said 100 million meals is a huge milestone, but what really moves her is knowing that each one of those meals has helped someone who really needed it.
“For ten incredible years, the Woolworths team hasn't just been a partner – they've been champions of our mission – from back dock and store managers who carefully set aside good food, through to logistics teams who make this happen every single day,” said Kahn.
“We could not do what we do without their support, and we need them more than ever as demand continues to rise. We rely on Woolworths to enable us to deliver fresh and nutritious food to those who need it most.
“The impact of this partnership has a ripple effect in communities across Australia – it’s more than just food – it starts conversations, offers care, compassion and hope. I am forever grateful to every single person at Woolworths who makes this happen.”
In addition to daily food donations, Woolworths and its customers support OzHarvest through initiatives like the annual Christmas Appeal, which is now approaching its 11th consecutive year.
Woolworths Group CEO, Amanda Bardwell, said reaching 100 million meals with OzHarvest really shows what can be achieved when companies work together with the local communities they serve.
“We know families are doing it tough right now with cost-of-living, so making sure good, fresh food gets to people who need it instead of going to waste is more important than ever,” said Bardwell.
“Our local store teams make this happen every day, working alongside OzHarvest's amazing drivers and volunteers to get good food where it’s needed most. It’s a partnership that brings a little good to so many people, and we’re proud to keep this work going in the communities we serve.”
Beyond the OzHarvest partnership, all Woolworths stores nationally are partnered with a local food rescue organisation to help support people in their communities.
