Bega Valley Shire Council's focus on reducing food to landfill has had another boost with funding for a new project that will change the way big businesses manage their excess food supplies.
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The NSW Environment Protection Authority has announced a $177,070 grant for council's waste and recycling team to support the Sapphire Community Pantry in Bega, also known as The Pantry.
The project will increase the amount of food donations to The Pantry and further reduce the amount of food going to landfill.
It builds on the success of the FOGO (Food Organics Garden Organics) household bin collection service council introduced last October.
The new project will help The Pantry build connections with potential food donors such as large clubs, supermarkets and food producers. It will also target transport companies.
The Bega Valley Waste App will play a key role in the project as a quick and simple communication link between project partners.
Waste management coordinator Joley Vidau said council applied for the funding on behalf of The Pantry which had demonstrated a strong commitment to taking action on food waste.
She said their work linked closely with council's 10-year Waste Management and Resource Recovery Strategy (2018-2028) Recycling the Future.
"Council is committed to achieving NSW EPA targets of avoiding and reducing waste and diverting more waste from landfill, and this project is a fantastic initiative that works towards that goal," Ms Vidau said.
The Pantry sources most of its food from the national charity Foodbank, as well as Woolworths, OzHarvest, Coles Second Bite and donations from local businesses such as Millingandi Greens, F&J Orchards, community gardens and local people with an excess of fruit and vegetables.
The Pantry, run entirely by volunteers, is open to everyone particularly to people who are having trouble stretching their budget to include food for their families.
