Policy influence and Government Relations
OzHarvest is actively advocating for the Government to prioritise household food security in Australia’s first-ever National Food Security Strategy. Our push isn’t for a quick fix, it’s for a long-term, prevention-focused approach that improves nutrition while tackling food waste as a key driver of affordability and access.
To build the case, we’ve partnered with researchers, experts and aligned organisations to amplify strong community support for a strategy that addresses the root causes of food insecurity – not just the symptoms.
Connecting decision-makers to our cause
Over 40 Members of Parliament have experienced our yellow vans and programs firsthand, with letters and regular quarterly reports giving a wider group of MPs insights on their electorate. Understanding the impact of our work and the urgent policies needed is crucial to supporting vulnerable communities.
We made seven formal submissions to government at critical moments, elevating food insecurity and food waste on the national policy agenda. This included contributing to the Productivity Commission consultation and the Treasurer’s economic reform roundtable — making the case that reducing food waste and improving household food security isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s an economic opportunity that eases cost-of-living pressures and delivers real social and environmental benefits too.
Special Thanks
Seeing is believing.
Victorian Shadow Assistant Education Minister Ann-Marie Hermans MP didn’t just hear about OzHarvest’s work, she experienced it first-hand! From visiting our new food rescue hub in Hallam, joining a NEST session in Dandenong, cooking alongside refugees learning budget-friendly meals and then later in the year visiting St Louis de Montfort’s Primary School in Aspendale to see FEAST in action.
“What I witnessed was education at its best, empowering students to take action on climate change, prepare nutritious meals, and build compassion and resilience. FEAST is free, yet too many schools are missing out.”
The following week, she took that message to Parliament calling on the Department of Education to ensure every Victorian student has access to FEAST.
