Australia’s biggest food rescue organisation OzHarvest has seen a drastic increase in demand for food relief from residents of the Capital Region, particularly around Queanbeyan.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, many of the businesses that would usually donate their excess food have been forced to close, leaving OzHarvest to get creative to feed Canberra’s most vulnerable.
The National Convention Centre Canberra (NCCC) has partnered with OzHarvest to prepare 500 gourmet, chef-prepared meals per week to help ensure many of those struggling in the community are receiving healthy and nourishing meals.
Canberra City manager at OzHarvest, Belinda Barnier, said they’re very grateful for the NCCC’s support enabling them to deliver nutritious meals to people in need.
“Everybody deserves a good, healthy meal,” Ms Barnier said.
“Day to day we supply food to 64 agencies and charities and with the lack of supply due to Covid-19, we have found the demand is greater right now.”
New organisations have come on board to collaborate with OzHarvest since restrictions have been put in place across the ACT and many local businesses have been rallying too.
“We had a wonderful donation today from the IGA in Chapman, and Woolworths, as well as the Lions Club in Queanbeyan stepping forward as a sponsor,” she said.
NCCC executive chef Nikhil Jain said the organisation is proud to be supporting such an important community initiative and every meal has been prepared with the same high quality of food that events guests usually enjoy.
“We know there are plenty of people doing it tough, so we are proud to be able to prepare high quality, nourishing meals to support people in the community,” he said.
“At the same time, it means that everyone in our kitchen team is getting around two shifts a week, which is great for everyone’s mental health.”
OzHarvest still welcomes dry goods and financial donations to support their ongoing work and all funds donated locally are kept local.
To donate or see how you can help, visit www.ozharvest.org
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