At a time of skyrocketing demand for food relief amid Australia’s cost-of-living crisis, food rescue organisation Ozharvest has opened a free market in Adelaide’s west.
The city’s first rescued-food supermarket replicates the model in Sydney, where surplus food from local supermarkets and food businesses destined for the bin is rescued and stocked on shelves to help tackle food waste and food insecurity. Everything is free for those who can’t afford to pay for it, or you can donate an amount you choose. It’s based on a “take what you need, give if you can” philosophy.
Australia currently creates more than 7.6 million tonnes of food waste each year – enough to fill Melbourne Cricket Ground nine times – despite 70 percent of it being perfectly edible (good produce might be discarded if it’s freckled or bruised, or the “wrong” shape or size). The Ozharvest grocery store, on Manton Street in Hindmarsh, stocks a range of products including fresh fruit and vegetables; bread; tinned goods; frozen meals; drinks; toiletries and home products. The shelves will look different from week to week depending on what’s salvaged. Customers are encouraged to donate, too.
The market is open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and Ozharvest encourages people to visit just one day per week, to help as many vulnerable people as possible access nutritious food. Items will be limited per visitor to make sure food is distributed fairly across the week.
Ozharvest Market
27 Manton Street, Hindmarsh
Hours:
Tues 10am–2pm
Wed 3pm–7pm
Thurs 10am–2pm
