Feeding community. Creating connection.
OzHarvest Markets in Sydney and Adelaide continue to support community members in need, by providing access to fresh and nutritious food, rescued by our yellow vans. With the cost of living continuing to impact more people, both locations are busier than ever serving a combined total of over 2,500 community members every week.
Powered by volunteers, both Markets offer more than just food, with social worker support on-site to start conversations and create connections to other services.
In Sydney, the Waterloo Market is now in its sixth year and continues to see new people every day accessing this service, with Saturdays often the busiest day. Every Thursday, the ‘Market Hub’ brings together other not-for-profit services to provide additional support and care, ranging from financial, legal, housing and multicultural services, accessed by 50 community members every week.
In October, we hosted another successful social impact event Eat/Shop/Chop with Thread Together and Sustainable Salons, providing haircuts, nourishing meals and clothing to over 600 people.
Our Adelaide Market in Hindmarsh turned one and is seeing demand continue to rise. From students, families, workers, people doing it tough in ways you’d never guess from the outside, we’re serving 200 people a day, three days a week.
This Market exists because one man believed it should. Richard Collins’ generosity made it possible. Though he passed away this year, his legacy lives on as our doors stay open. His wife Joanne is a regular visitor, keeping his vision alive.
Special Thanks
Students struggling to get by.
In Adelaide, student Jay works part-time, studies full-time, does everything right. But still, the cost of living caught up with him. He now relies on the Market every week.
“I honestly didn’t want to come to begin with, I thought costs would ease, but they never did and now I’m here every week. I’ve seen the queue here double in a year.”
Now Jay knows that he is someone in need. And so are the everyday people standing beside him living pay cheque to pay cheque. The reality faced by so many is an empty fridge when you’re doing your absolute best.