Sustainable packaging enterprise BioPak partnered with food rescue organisation OzHarvest, supplying compostable packaging for the charity’s flagship Cook-Off fundraiser.
According to OzHarvest, this new partnership will help it deliver an additional 200,000 meals over the course of the year to some of Australia’s most vulnerable communities.
BioPak, which has supported OzHarvest's work since 2015, is the official packaging supplier of the charity's Community Cook-Off, and supplied compostable packaging for the event, which according to the company, will help divert approx. 291 kg of plastic, and offset 715 kg of carbon emissions.
The charity’s flagship fundraiser, held on Monday, saw business leaders, teams and chefs come together to cook thousands of meals for some of Australia’s most vulnerable people.
BioPak supported the event by donating plates, bowls, cups and cutlery. All plastic and single-use food packaging was replaced with the company's donated packaging, and at the end of the event, the packaging was collected by BioPak, and composted in a commercial facility.
Speaking of the partnership, BioPak CEO Gary Smith touched on the significance of working with Ronni Kahn AO and the OzHarvest community.
“We are incredibly proud to continue to support OzHarvest and the inspiring work they do,” Smith said.
over the course of the year."
“Every dollar donated can feed two Australians in need, and we are humbled to know that our contribution can allow OzHarvest to deliver an additional 200,000 meals over the course of the year.”
“After a two-year hiatus due to Covid-19, it is also wonderful to see the Community Cook-Off return, and we are grateful to work with Ronni, the OzHarvest team and wider community by supplying our compostable packaging for the event.”
OzHarvest Founder and CEO, Ronni Kahn AO says that the need for food relief has hit an all-time high in the last two years, with one in six Australians experiencing food insecurity.
“The impact of the bushfires, drought, floods and Covid-19 has seen more people than ever turn to charities for help. We have seen demand for our services increase at a time when our resources are most under pressure.”
“The Community CookOff brings people together to connect over great food, at the same time raising valuable funds to help keep our wheels turning,” said Kahn.
BioPak and OzHarvest confirm that they have, to date, diverted more than 15 tonnes of plastic and offset 53 tonnes of carbon emissions – which is the equivalent of driving a new car around the world five times.
