For around eight years, OzHarvest has been a familiar and valued presence at Home in Place’s community hub The Meeting Place.
Each week, rescued food from OzHarvest helps stock The Meeting Place’s Shack Shop, providing affordable food and helping support people experiencing food insecurity.
Over the past 12 months alone, OzHarvest’s support for The Meeting Place has included 50 collections and deliveries, with 14,538.98 kilograms of food rescued. That is the equivalent of 29,078 meals and an estimated 14,103 kilograms of CO₂ emissions avoided.
But for The Meeting Place Coordinator Jenene Carling, the relationship goes well beyond the numbers.
Over the years, the OzHarvest Central Coast team and its drivers have become familiar faces at The Meeting Place, regularly going above and beyond to support local activities and community events. That has included additional food and drinks when needed, as well as practical items such as garden supplies and shade cloth.
OzHarvest also regularly delivers its NEST program at The Meeting Place. The six week nutrition and cooking program gives participants practical skills to prepare simple, nutritious meals, make healthier food choices and cook well on a budget.
Through hands on cooking and shared meals, NEST also provides an opportunity for people to build confidence, learn new skills and connect with others in a relaxed and welcoming environment.
The partnership has become particularly meaningful to Jenene, who has recently begun volunteering with OzHarvest herself.
OzHarvest’s support for Home in Place extends beyond The Meeting Place. For several years, it has also provided regular food deliveries to This Way Home, a supported accommodation program for people experiencing homelessness. Deliveries include fresh fruit and vegetables, pantry staples and prepared meals, providing valuable additional food support for people staying in the program.
Giving back to an organisation that gives so much
Home in Place Events and Partnerships Manager Michelle Faithfull will take that support a step further in October when she participates in OzHarvest’s inaugural Newcastle CEO CookOff.
The CEO CookOff brings together business and community leaders with leading chefs to prepare and share meals with guests from charities supported by OzHarvest, while raising awareness of food insecurity and food waste.
OzHarvest has been rescuing and redistributing food throughout the Hunter since 2010 and has delivered more than nine million meals through more than 120 local charities across the region.
For Michelle, taking part is an opportunity to support an organisation whose impact Home in Place sees firsthand.
“Through The Meeting Place, we see just how much OzHarvest contributes to our tenants and the wider community,” Michelle said.
“They have supported us consistently for many years, not only through rescued food but through programs, events and all the little things they do when there is a need.
“I’m proud to have the opportunity to support an organisation that has supported our community for so long.”
The inaugural Newcastle CEO CookOff will be held on 20 October 2026.
Home in Place is proud to support OzHarvest and celebrate a partnership that continues to turn rescued food into meals, practical skills, stronger connections and meaningful support for our communities.
