OzHarvest celebrates five years in Newcastle

Since 2010, OzHarvest has rescued more than a million kilograms of food from across the region and in turn provided more than 3 million meals to the Hunter’s most vulnerable people.

nib foundation, who helped the organisation establish its valuable service in the region, will join other partners and supporters at a fundraising luncheon at Merewether Surf House on Sunday 18 October to celebrate OzHarvest’s five year milestone.

Guests at the luncheon will enjoy six courses prepared by outstanding local chefs, Troy Rhoades-Brown of Muse Dining, Mark Hosie of Rustica Newcastle Beach, Lesley Taylor of Hobart's Restaurant, Chris Thornton of Restaurant Mason, Ryan Baird of Merewether Surfhouse and Tim Montgomery.

OzHarvest Newcastle's ambassador Neil Slater, who will be speaking at the luncheon, said the organisation is eternally grateful for the support OzHarvest has received from its partners and donors who have helped them achieve the milestones over the last five years.

"Our job is to make sure good food doesn't go to waste. We rescue it and deliver it for free, and to do this we rely on the generosity of individuals and companies from right across the region," Mr Slater said.

"In the last financial year alone we received food donations from 180 local businesses. We continue to be overwhelmed by the generosity of the Hunter business community, however, we are always looking for more food donors.

"Every donation though, whether it be food, financial or in-kind support, allows us to provide food to underprivileged people who may feel forgotten or alone," Slater said.

"Long-term funding arrangements, such as the one we have enjoyed with nib foundation during our five year history in the Hunter, are particularly important in sustaining a new charitable venture. Their initial funding grant in 2010 helped us to establish a presence in the region and their sustained commitment to the OzHarvest cause has continued through to today.

"OzHarvest has enjoyed a wonderful partnership with nib foundation and look forward to it continuing into the future."

nib foundation Executive Officer, Amy Tribe, said that in supporting OzHarvest, nib foundation has in turn supported more than 70 local agencies that collectively provide assistance to the most vulnerable members of our community.

"The on-reach of this program is just incredible. Not only does OzHarvest's food rescue program provide quality food to those in need, and deliver environmental outcomes by diverting food waste from landfill, it also enables service agencies to reduce their food budget and redirect this funding to other vital services such as case management and education programs," Ms Tribe explained.

"nib foundation has taken great delight in supporting the program and seeing first hand the number of lives it positively impacts across the Hunter every day," Ms Tribe added.