Australia’s first supermarket to be stocked with produce that has been donated or would otherwise go to waste, but is still good to eat.
A ‘take what you need, give if you can’ philosophy
The OzHarvest Market is Australia’s first ever rescued food supermarket, stocked with produce that has either been donated or would otherwise go to waste, but is perfectly edible. Based on a ‘take what you need, give if you can’ philosophy, their purpose is to make rescued food available to everyone, especially those who need it most.
The Supermarket is only the latest initiative from OzHarvest – these guys are amazing!
OzHarvest is the leading food rescue organisation in Australia, collecting quality excess food from commercial outlets and delivering it direct to more than 900 charities who support people in need across Australia. It operates in in Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Newcastle and Perth and in regional communities across the country and since 2004, has delivered over 60 million meals and saved more than 20,000 tonnes of food from ending up in landfill.
OzHarvest is the only food rescue organisation in Australia collecting surplus food from all types of food providers including fruit and vegetable markets, supermarkets, hotels, wholesalers, farmers, stadiums, corporate events, catering companies, shopping centres, delis, cafes, restaurants, film and TV shoots and boardrooms.
Source: ozharvest.org Main Photo: Facebook/OzHarvestMarket
OzHarvest market FAQ
What is OzHarvest Market?
Australia’s first ever rescued food supermarket, stocked with produce that has either been donated or would otherwise go to waste, but is perfectly edible.
What is available in the OzHarvest Market?
A range of products from fresh fruit and vegetables, bread, tinned goods, frozen meals and drinks to toiletries and home products. What they have in-store will vary each week depending on what is rescued or provided by our generous food donors.
What is rescued food?
They rescue food that can’t be sold by supermarkets and food retailers due to being past its display by date but is still perfectly good to eat. They also rescue products which are surplus for a variety of commercial reasons, such as change in packaging or incorrect orders.
How much does it cost?
Their philosophy is ‘take what you need, give what you can’. If you can’t afford to pay and you’re in need of food, please take what you need. If you can give something, then please do; every dollar donated can help OzHarvest provide two meals to Australians in need.
What’s the catch?
There’s no catch. All the food and produce in the OzHarvest Market is donated by their local network of generous food donors. Their purpose is to "Nourish Our Country" by stopping good food from going to waste and making sure it gets to people who need it most.
How does it work?
- Pick up a shopping basket on your way in
- Fill it with a variety of nutritious foods – our volunteers are on hand to help
- Only take what you need so everyone can enjoy the food
- Head to the checkout area where a volunteer will help you pack your goods
- Make a small donation if you can
- Remember to bring your own shopping bag!
Where does the food come from?
All the food and produce on offer at the OzHarvest Market is kindly donated by businesses around Sydney including cafes, bakeries, supermarkets, food distributors and more.
Source & Main Photo: ozharvest.org
OzHarvest mission: to “nourish our country”
OzHarvest mission statement in their own words from their website:
OzHarvest has four pillars that direct the work that we do:
- Rescue
We are on a mission to eliminate hunger and food waste through the redistribution of quality surplus food. Likewise, to provide a framework for food rescue that can be replicated.
- Educate
Educating and raising awareness about food waste, food rescue, food security and sustainability is central to our vision. Protecting and improving the environment through all our actions matters deeply to us. Promoting nutrition education is paramount. Providing hospitality training and mentoring for disadvantaged youth drives us onwards and upwards, together.
- Engage
Embracing community support for OzHarvest lies at the heart of our purpose. We offer a range of opportunities for the community to engage with our family. In turn, the goodness spreads through our family, adding purpose to peoples’ lives through meaningful action.
- Innovate
Innovation is at the heart of what we do. Whether its finding new ways and solutions to combat food waste and hunger, to using technology to mobilise everyday Australians to take meaningful action. We pride ourselves on having created a unique for-impact, food rescue model which is being implemented and adapted across the globe.
Source: ozharvest.org
Get involved: give a little love to OzHarvest
Whether it's time, money, or a space to work from, perhaps you can become involved? Click the link to find out how you can help.