It’s no exaggeration to say that OzHarvest would not be where it is today without the ongoing and unwavering support of founding partner, Goodman Foundation. Lead by their CEO, Jo Cameron, the Goodman Foundation are an integral part of the OzHarvest family.

Q.  Goodman have supported OzHarvest since its humble beginnings in 2004.  Is this the longest partnership for Goodman?  Why do you think it works so well?

Goodman’s partnership with OzHarvest is one of the longest partnerships we have, and I believe we are one of OzHarvest’s first founding partners, so we’re both doing something right!

I think it works so well because we are a true partnership, we have the same values, we treat each other with respect and we’re focused on making a positive impact in the community. 

Like us, OzHarvest is a very innovative and fast-moving organisation while still feeling like a big family. Everyone that is associated with OzHarvest – whether it’s the team, partners, volunteers or recipients of meals and services – everyone is madly passionate about the cause and this is infectious.

Q.  Describe some of your personal highlights being part of the OzHarvest family?

Delivering OzHarvest’s purpose-built headquarters in our Alexandria estate a few years ago was a real highlight for me. Goodman not only contributed the warehouse space in one of our most high-value locations, we provided cash funding and worked closely with our suppliers and partners to deliver an amazing space from which OzHarvest could grow and positively impact the lives of thousands.

The huge project team included Team2, FDC, Perfect Pipes, Rawfire, Traffix, Mackenzie Group, Northrop, Site Image and Fresh Landscapes and to this day, I still feel so proud of the end result and of the collaboration of all of the organisations that worked with us to deliver this fantastic outcome which continues to give.

Q.  Why do you think it’s important for businesses to give back?

We believe everyone, everywhere, should be in equal reach of greatness and businesses that contribute to the community enable greatness to happen!

Through the Goodman Foundation, both our people and our properties are helping to improve quality of life in the communities in which we operate. We see ourselves as part of the community – after all, our spaces are workspaces for so many people – and we all know how much of our lives are spent at work!

As a part of the community, we are committed to greatness for the long-term and we choose to work with people and organisations that feel the same. We are empowering organisations like OzHarvest to create and deliver greatness through their programmes to make a difference to those in our community that need a helping hand.

The impact of working together is huge. Without Goodman’s support, OzHarvest could not have delivered over 100 million meals, helped 1,300 charities and saved 36,000 tonnes of food from landfill.