The Sapphire Coast branch of OzHarvest has started rescuing good, excess food from local supermarkets at Narooma and Bermagui, distributing it to those in need in the area.
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Voluntary manager Christine Welsh started the Sapphire Coast branch of OzHarvest in 2015.
“We are based in Tura Beach, and collect and distribute food from Eden to Bega, but with the addition of three new local volunteers we have been able to extend to Narooma and Bermagui,” Ms Welsh said.
Two weeks ago, the branch started its first collection from Bermagui Woolworths, and this food is now going to the Little Yuin Preschool, for the children and their families at the Wallaga Lake Koori village.
“Every Tuesday morning our volunteers go to Bermagui Woolworths, pick up the excess food and then deliver it to the preschool,” Ms Welsh said.
“Preschool manager Lea tells me the food is eagerly received and she is delighted with the deliveries.
“At the present time we are only collecting once a week from Woolworths, as a trial. If all goes well, and with Woolworth's cooperation, we may increase the number of our pickups and deliveries to Bermagui.”
OzHarvest Sapphire Coast this week will also begin collecting from Narooma Woolworths, and delivering the food to Katungul Aboriginal medical centre, she said.
This food will be taken by the centre to the Wallaga Lake Koori village for distribution to people in need.
The local volunteers working at Narooma and Bermagui are Nicci Eastham, Andrew Norman and Linda Appelgren.
About OzHarvest Sapphire Coast
- We collect food from 15 regular donors plus dozens more
- We deliver food to over 26 charities
- We have 18 regular volunteers, plus more for special events
- We travel from Eden to Bermagui. And if we can get volunteers we will extend our reach to Batemans Bay and Moruya
- Since we started this Branch in the Bega Valley in 2015, we have collected and distributed over 20,000kg of food for people in need
- This equals 60,000 meals
- Or, we could have provided every resident of the Bega Valley Shire with two meals
- We have conducted eight free cooking classes under our NEST program (Nutrition, Education, & Sustainability Tips). Participants were from Workability in Bega, Campbell Page youth program in Eden, and soon to commence at the PCYC in Bega, and the Wallaga Lake Aboriginal Community
- Held two major THINK EAT SAVE events in 2015 and 2016, attracting in total 320 people
- This year’s THINK EAT SAVE event will be held on July 22 at the Eden Public School. It will have the theme of “Every home a farm” and focus on how we can grow our own food, no matter how small our plot might be. Free lunch and guest speakers
- With your help and support we can all make a difference in our community. Phone us on 0438 407 364 to find out more
OzHarvest is Australia’s leading food rescue operation feeding people in need in Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Newcastle, Perth as well as helping in regional communities via its REAP by OzHarvest program.
Since 2004, OzHarvest has delivered over 55 million meals and has saved more than 18,000 tonnes of food from ending up as landfill.
OzHarvest rescues quality surplus food from more than 2,000 businesses including supermarkets, restaurants, cafes, hotels, retailers, airports and food outlets.
Collecting more than 87 tonnes of excess food every week and delivering to more than 900 charities, OzHarvest is making a positive difference to the lives of men, women and children at charitable agencies across Australia who now have access to a wider supply and variety of fresh and cooked food, fruit and vegetables.
The for-impact organisation provides nutrition education to vulnerable communities and hospitality training to disadvantaged youth, playing a critical role in breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty.
OzHarvest is the official partner of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) for the Think.Eat.Save campaign in Australia, hosting events all over the country to tackle the issue of global food waste.
Every $1 donated allows OzHarvest to deliver two meals to people in need.