Launch of the Food Savings Challenge among the highlights of the collaboration
Suncorp Bank and food rescue organisation OzHarvest marked their first anniversary of partnership, highlighting a year dedicated to combating food waste and promoting the #savewhatmatters campaign.
The collaboration, according to the bank, is part of its commitment to “Creating a Brighter Future” by addressing food waste nationwide.
Over the past year, the partnership has achieved significant milestones, including the distribution of 1.6 million additional meals to those in need, the collection of over 2,500 kilograms of food during ‘OzTober’, the inauguration of the OzHarvest Brisbane Kitchen which is expected to provide 52,000 extra meals annually, and the launch of the Food Savings Challenge aimed at encouraging Australians to reduce food waste at home.
In addition to these efforts, Suncorp Bank has partnered with MasterChef’s Khanh Ong on the Food Savings Challenge, promoting food conservation and financial savings across its branches and digital platforms.
Food waste is a critical issue in Australia, with approximately 7.6 million tonnes of food discarded annually, imposing a $36.6 billion burden on the economy. This wastage not only squanders resources but also contributes to landfill and methane emissions, exacerbating global warming. Minimising food waste is seen as a key step towards addressing this issue, with the potential to both assist those in need and reduce environmental impact.
OzHarvest has witnessed a significant increase in demand for its services over the last year, necessitating an expansion of its operations. The organisation now operates a fleet of specialised vans, collecting quality food from over 3,000 donors, including supermarkets and restaurants, and delivering it to 1,900 charities nationwide, free of charge.
Since its inception with a single van in Sydney 20 years ago, OzHarvest has evolved into a national charity, delivering over 230 million meals. Its partnership with Suncorp Bank has not only furthered this cause but has also fostered community engagement and education through initiatives like the National OzHarvest roadshow and “Cooking for a Cause” sessions.
“Food security and cost of living is really important right now,” said Nick Fernando (pictured above), executive general manager of everyday banking at Suncorp Bank. “Six million people really need this help, and we’re here to help those local communities.”
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