Excess fills hungry gaps
A Belmont organisation has served its one millionth meal to the people in Perth who need it most.
Food Rescue was launched by Jacqui Jordan in November 2011 and taken over by Uniting Care West about a year ago.
In less than four years, it has saved more than 500,000kg of fresh food which otherwise would have become landfill.
Unused food is picked up from supermarkets, wholesalers, caterers, cafes and State-owned facilities such as Perth Arena and taken to Food Rescue's Belmont warehouse for packing.
It is then delivered to nearly 50 charities, reaching about 5500 people a day, including former drug addict Gemma, 26, from the Esther Foundation for young women.
"A lot of girls when they come in, they're malnourished, but Food Rescue offers all the right foods," she said.
"We get a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables and make some awesome meals."
Uniting Care West chief executive Sue Ash said Food Rescue was doing its best to curb the growing hunger problem in Perth.
"We just think the whole community is increasingly concerned about waste and how much food is thrown out," she said.
"We know for many people it's the only way they get fresh food and diversity in there diet."
