North East Waste in collaboration with local Councils, the NSW EPA and key Northern Rivers food relief agencies are running a free Food Donation Forum on August 1 from 10am – 3pm at the Ballina Surf Life Saving Club.

Following recent networking workshops held across the region, the forum aims to cover key areas of interest; technology and the development of apps to assist agencies in securing food, how to obtain grant funding, and the opportunity to network and learn from others.

North East Waste Coordinator Jeanie McKillop said “if you are involved with an agency or charity that provides food relief, are an existing food donor or a business with excess food who would like to contribute, we would love to see you there”.

According to the Australian Government’s National Food Waste Strategy, nearly 4 million people across the nation experience food insecurity each year, yet a staggering 5.3 million tonnes of food intended for human consumption still ends up in landfill.

“The role that food donation agencies play in our community is essential in diverting good quality surplus food to those who need it,” Ms McKillop said.

People can choose to attend some or all sessions of the Food Donation Forum and will hear from guest speakers including OzHarvest, NSW EPA, Foodbank NSW and Food Recovery Far North Coast.

For more information and to RSVP your spot visit www.newaste.org.au/fdf or contact fooddonation@newaste.org.au or mobile 0427 770 198.

This workshop is part of the Northern Rivers Food Hub Feasibility Study Program, coordinated by North East Waste in collaboration with local Councils and the NSW EPA’s Waste Less Recycling More initiative, funded through the waste levy. It is supported by a

Project Steering Committee including Metcash IGA, NSW Health, Consortium of Neighbourhood Centres, Red Cross and Lismore Uniting Church.