OzHarvest Canberra runs two yellow vans locally to support vulnerable people in need of nourishment and at the same time diverting good food from going to landfill. Our small dedicated team of staff and volunteers rescues over 7,500kgs of surplus food every week. Unfortunately, the demand in our community exceeds our ability to deliver. OzHarvest is dependent on donations from individuals, companies and government. All funds raised remain local and directly increase our impact here in the Canberra community. Every $1 = 2 meals for someone in need.

How your donation will help

OzHarvest Canberra run two refrigerated, yellow trucks here in the Nation’s Capital, collecting perfectly good surplus food that would have otherwise go to waste for people in need.

We deliver this food to 73 charities and agencies who are on the frontline of feeding vulnerable people across Canberra. However, we are still faced with an ever growing wait list and requests for larger food volumes.

In the past 12 months, the Canberra OzHarvest team have rescued 364,810 kgs of nourishing food from our generous donors and saved it from going to local landfill sites. This has enabled local agencies to provide 729,620 free meals to people in need.

In June 2022, the team achieved a significant milestone delivering our 9 millionth meal to the local Canberra PCYC. Partnering with local agencies gives us greater impact and efficiencies.

Every day people are struggling to put food on the table, with those with children are being hardest hit. The rising cost of living is the most common reason (64%) that people are struggling to put food on the table, with increased cost of food, energy and housing contributing the most.

Our service is dependent on the funds provided by individuals, local government and the private sector. We can do more with more assistance and believe that nourishment is vital to the wellbeing of our community.

The 2023 Canberra Day Appeal provides the individuals, families and social groups the opportunity to contribute directly to initiatives knowing the funds stay local.

For further information please contact Belinda Barnier, Canberra City Manager OzHarvest at belinda.barnier@ozharvest.org or mobile: 0412 620524