OzHarvest is a non-denominational charity that rescues excess food which would otherwise be discarded. This excess food is distributed to charities supporting the vulnerable in Sydney, Canberra, Newcastle and Adelaide.
OzHarvest was founded in Sydney, November 2004. It began with one van and delivered 4,000 meals in our first month of operations.
Australiawide OzHarvest delivers 333,000 meals per month with a fleet of 12 vans.
OzHarvest believes that good food should not go to waste. In fact, by distributing it to those in need, OzHarvest turns excess food into a resource and save thousands of kilograms of food from being dumped as landfill each year.
On average, every kilogram of food that OzHarvest rescues will avoid 2 kg of greenhouse (kg CO2-eq) emissions, and avoid the consumption of 143 litres of water.
Food is generously donated by those with excess. By distributing this food to various charities, OzHarvest assists them to better and more efficiently address the underlying social problems in our society. With this support charities are able to redirect funding to programs assisting those who are disadvantaged or at risk.
OzHarvest provides this service at no cost to food donors and recipients.