A new food distribution hub is set to increase support for people in need across the Sunshine Coast and Gympie regions.
OzHarvest has opened a facility at Kunda Park to collect surplus produce from local businesses and supply more charities as demand for assistance continues to rise.
OzHarvest Queensland state manager Michaela Windsor said the expanded operation will make a significant difference.
“We see the challenges of community hardship and people going without every day and we’re working hard to address the ongoing need and support our charity network on the frontline,” she said.
“There are still so many families in Queensland experiencing food insecurity, particularly in the Sunshine Coast and Gympie regions, and our new hub will unlock greater capacity to rescue more food, reach more charities and get help to more people, faster.”
The opening of the hub coincided with OzHarvest delivering its 65 millionth meal in Queensland.
Sunshine Coast-based Urban Angels is one of 317 charities that receives food support across the state.
The charity’s unit manager Birgit Sowden said donated food, via OzHarvest, “makes an enormous difference to our work”.
“Not only does it help us put more nourishing meals into the hands of people who need them most, but it also supports our sustainability by helping keep our costs manageable,” she said.
“We deliver up to 15,000 meals every month across the Sunshine Coast, from Gympie to Caboolture, and we simply couldn’t do that without this partnership.”
Woolworths is OzHarvest’s national food rescue partner, and Woolworths general manager social impact Adam Bray was on-site for the hub opening.
“We are proud to support the opening of this new Sunshine Coast warehouse, which will significantly boost local food relief and get meals to those who need them most,” he said.
“It’s an incredible milestone that complements the work our Queensland store teams put into our food rescue programs.
“This hub really strengthens the tight-knit network of local charities collaborating across the Coast, and we are incredibly grateful to play a part in supporting their work.”
OzHarvest’s new hub is positioned to provide direct access to the region’s key food corridors and closer proximity to food donors and local charities.
The expansion is the next step in the organisation’s plan to grow its presence across the state, create local jobs, strengthen relationships with food donors, and get more food to the people who need it most.
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