While most of us were tucked in our beds at 6am this morning, a team of dedicated OzHarvest volunteers were readying a fleet of iconic yellow trucks for the delivery of what would become Newcastle’s 19 millionth meal.

From its Hamilton North depot, the group of drivers and helpers raced the rising sun to stack a mountain of empty banana boxes, making way for up to 2.5 tonnes of food that would be transported in the following hours.

Dressed in their instantly-recognisable black and yellow uniforms, perhaps unintentionally resembling worker bees, the crew set off on their various routes around the Hunter.

They are the link between our region’s generous food donors and the growing number of community members in need.

The precious cargo carried onboard is tonnes of fresh and frozen food, donated by Woolworths, Aldi and other small businesses.

OzHarvest Newcastle is an operation that spans Maitland to Medowie, Morisset to Magenta.

It’s a link in a national chain that lives by its motto ‘Nourishing Our Country’.

Through its many various programs, including Nourish, Nest and Feast, OzHarvest is not only saving food from landfill but nourishing Australians both now and into the future.

“The statistics show that there’s far more people in need this decade than ever before,” says OzHarvest Newcastle driver Lance Young.

“It’s almost like it was back during the depression. 

“I never saw it when I was a child, there was always food available, but the amount of people that need help and live in jeopardy of not eating three meals a day, every day, is growing.”

It’s a reality not lost on OzHarvest Northern NSW engagement and culture lead Sarah Roxby who says reaching this week’s 19 million meal milestone is a sign of the times.

“We collect around 50,000 meals a week and deliver them directly to charities that are in need,” she says.

“Saving surplus food from ending up in landfill and delivering it to charities that help feed people in need is at our core and to reach such large numbers is remarkable.”

“It’s a testament to the work of our many volunteers, and it’s a sign we’re doing great things for the community, which keeps us going.”

While OzHarvest is a brand that’s easily recognisable thanks to the work of its founder Ronni Kahn AO, it is a charity that continues to grow and evolve over time, adding various programs it hopes will assist in its quest to eliminate food waste.

Just like the community’s need for food, OzHarvest Newcastle is also on the hunt for more volunteers to keep up with demand.

“We are so grateful to have thousands of volunteers across the country supporting our cause. We couldn’t operate, or achieve the impact we do, without the countless hours they donate, but we’d love to add more,” says Sarah.

How can you help?

• To find out how to become an OzHarvest volunteer go to ozharvest.org/volunteer

• To help feed one of the 3.7 million households in Australia that are currently struggling to put food on the table make a donation at ozharvest.org/donate where every $1 equates to two meals.

• Corporates can get involved with Cooking for a Cause and team-building with purpose events – details at ozharvest/cookingforacause

OzHarvest Newcastle numbers:

• Five yellow vans on the road across Newcastle and the Central Coast five days per week.
• Thursday, 29th August OzHarvest Newcastle reaches 19 million meals delivered since inception in 2010 – should reach 20 million by January 2025.
• OzHarvest Newcastle collects an average 50,496 meals per week.
• OzHarvest Newcastle supports 110 charities each week.
• Each charity supported by OzHarvest Newcastle supports an average 448 people each month.

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