The fight against food waste has reached a major milestone as OzHarvest Newcastle delivered the equivalent of over five million meals to Hunter residents, using over 1.7 million kilograms of rescued food.

Chris Rowntree, OzHarvest Newcastle City Manager, explained how this staggering amount was delivered in eight years, thanks to the tremendous support from food donors and sponsors across the region.

“Food rescue operations have grown steadily since OzHarvest Newcastle commenced in 2010. Last year with the support of nib foundation, a third van was added to the fleet which helped us deliver our five millionth meals sooner than we expected,” said Mr Rowntree.

“With over 100 regular food donors we are collecting and delivering on average 6,500 kilograms of nutritious food every week. We are supported by local businesses and sponsors who are as passionate about preventing quality food going to waste and delivering it to people in need as we are,” he said.

nib foundation, Executive Officer, Amy Tribe said they were proud to have helped increase the capacity of OzHarvest in the Hunter region to meet an ever growing demand for food relief.

“Each day thousands of the Hunter region’s most vulnerable residents are able to enjoy a meal thanks to the incredible work of OzHarvest Newcastle and its team of volunteers,” Ms Tribe said.

“It’s an amazing local success story that we’ve been proud to support since its establishment in 2010. We look forward to being a part of their ongoing growth as they continue to help improve the health and wellbeing of those most at risk in our community,” she added.

Food donors include supermarkets, local clubs, restaurants, cafes, hotels, wholesalers, schools, farmers and local producers. All food donors and sponsors have embraced OzHarvest’s purpose to Nourish our Country, regularly donating nutritious food which is delivered to more than 100 charities across the Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Cessnock, Maitland and Port Stephens LGAs.

Australians throw out an estimated four million tonnes of food each year costing the nation $20 billion annually. OzHarvest and their 3,000 food donors nationwide are playing a vital role in addressing this issue.