A great beginning to the year has highlighted how important OzHarvest’s presence at the Eveleigh Market is to the growing Farmers’ Market and wider Redfern community.

This year has already seen the food rescuing charity raise over $1720 from Market visitors’ generous donations – their best start to a year yet.

OzHarvest volunteer Lisa Stapleton said the response from Eveleigh Market patrons is always good because they are on the same wave length when it comes to not wasting good food and are concerned about the environment and people in need.  “The Eveleigh Market community’s values are aligned with ours to not letting good food go to waste. The patrons have a high awareness of OzHarvest and of those in need amongst the Sydney community and are always supportive of our presence at the Market. Often the same people will drop by each month to say hi and offer a donation.”

OzHarvest started their monthly stall at the Eveleigh Market when Manager Ariana Aljinovic asked them to come down in 2010 to promote their ‘Feed Sydney’ campaign - they have been there ever since. “It is great having OzHarvest as a constant presence at the Market,” said Ms Aljinovic. “It’s important that as a Fresh Produce venue we educate people on not wasting food and support such a great charitable organisation as this one. I hope the rest of the year is as successful for OzHarvest as the last few months have been.”

The money raised at the Eveleigh Markets goes towards keeping OzHarvest’s vans on the road rescuing food for those who need it.

“Fundraising at places like the Eveleigh Market allows us to continue to rescue food and contributes to future OzHarvest growth. This money will ultimately increase the amount of food we rescue, and in turn increase the number of people that we can feed,” said Ms Stapleton.

OzHarvest is at the Eveleigh Farmers’ Market on the second Saturday of the month. The Market is located at 243 Wilson Street, Darlington and is a community initiative of Australian Technology Park Sydney Limited (ATPSL).