OzHarvest ACT
The small but mighty ACT team runs with great consistency, with three food rescue runs in and around Canberra delivering 50,000kg of good food to local charities every single month. The team rescues from supermarkets, primary producers, and increasingly, direct from farms. A local egg farmer’s generous donations have become a valued part of the mix, bringing much-needed protein to people who need it most.
Inspiring change
NEST made a welcome return to the ACT in 2025 after a short hiatus, and the community responded. Two passionate dietitians delivered 18 programs across Canberra, reaching 189 participants with the nutrition knowledge and practical cooking skills to nourish themselves and their families. It’s great to have it back.
FEAST reached 24 schools across the ACT this year and one moment stood out. At Marist College Canberra, already running FEAST with Years 7 and 8, our National Program Manager and ACT FEAST Coordinator were invited to join the Year 9 Day of Service. Students spent the day exploring food waste, food insecurity and practical solutions, then put it all into action, preparing 80 meals for OzHarvest. Classroom learning transformed into community impact, in a single afternoon.
Connecting people to our cause
CEO CookOff came to Canberra, for the first time, in style this year, hosted at the stunning COMPA restaurant by celebrated chef Matt Moran. Business leaders swapped boardrooms for the kitchen, cooking shoulder to shoulder with the kind of energy and generosity that only this event produces. It was a night of great food, new friendships and real connection to our cause, and one that left everyone in the room changed.
When ABC Radio’s Gives Appeal came around in November, the ACT’s own voices took centre stage. Local stories from our team, our volunteers and the communities we serve were shared on air, connecting new audiences to the work happening right on their doorstep.