Australia’s first rescued-food supermarket opens in Sydney
Australia’s ¿rst rescued-food supermarket has opened in Sydney, providing donated or surplus produce to customers on a paywhat-they-can basis, in an effort to reduce the estimated $8 billion to $10billion of food discarded each year.
The Ozharvest Market provides food, from blemished apples to frozen sausage rolls, as well as other items such as sanitary products and toothpaste, which would otherwise be thrown out, sourced from the excess of major supermarket chains, caterers and cafes, The Guardian wrote.
Julie, a mother of two also babysitting her nephew, the store’s ¿rst ever customer, was returning for her second visit.
“At the moment I’m experiencing some real ¿nancial hardship,” she said.
“This is a place where I can come and pay a bit of money and still be able to get my shopping done. To go into a supermarket, the money goes very quickly.
“There are some things I can’t get here, they don’t have cheese or Halal meat, but it takes stress off the cost of the bill at the supermarket. While I’m in this ¿nancial hardship, I’d like to come here twice a week.”
The market also stocks hygiene products, baby formula, toothpaste, shampoo and a mobile charging card that provides access to Ask Izzy, a directory of homelessness support services.
Sarah, a customer who came with her infant daughter Millie, said she was pleasantly surprised by the baby supplies on offer.
“When I saw that they had these here, it was a really big relief. The thing is, I was looking to buy these at the supermarket and they’re reasonably priced but still a bit over my budget. It takes the pressure off a little bit.”
Jun, an international student at the nearby University of New South Wales said she bought $20 worth of food, including coffee, curry paste and snacks, for $5. “It’s a good way to save money. I’m very close to my ¿nal exam and I stopped my part-time job, meaning my income has been reduced”.
Alicia Kirwan, Ozharvest’s NSW manager, said the store has between ¿ve and 10 volunteers a shift and serves 150 people a day but expects more. Small signs around the store give food preservation tips (‘Onions going bad? Simply dice and freeze.’) Michelle is a retiree who volunteers at the market once a week. “Ozharvest really drew me in with their food reclamation,” she said.
“I just don’t like it when you walk into a regular supermarket and 30 percent of food is going to be thrown away. It’s terrible. I love the initiative of reclaiming food and providing people with food if they need it.
“I like the big solid meals that provide nourishment for a whole family. One lady came in and I said ‘What do you like to cook?’, and she grabbed some noodles and said ‘I’d like to make a really huge pad thai’. I’d like to imagine her going home and making a huge pad thai.”