Innovate

In the heart of Sydney, our Refettorio has blossomed into more than just a restaurant – it’s become a sanctuary of hope, dignity, and delicious food for those who need it most. Celebrating our second birthday in February, we expanded our service to include weekends, thanks to vital funding from the City of Sydney.

The magic of the Refettorio came alive during Vivid Sydney’s ‘Our Shared Humanity’ dinner series, where our tiny kitchen hosted Australia’s culinary leaders.  Christine Manfield, Orazia D’Elia, Guillaume Brahimi, Alex Prichard, Darren Robertson, Mitch Orr and Peter Gilmore brought their unique flair to create extraordinary meals, serving over 350 guests.  These special events and private hire help keep our doors open to those in need.

One of our proudest moment came in October when Her Majesty Queen Camilla chose to experience the Refettorio firsthand. She didn’t just visit – she sat down with our community members, shared a meal, and witnessed the transformative power of food served with dignity and love.

The Refettorio is more than meals – it’s a place where humanity shines through every plate served, every smile shared, and every life touched. In the words of one of lunchtime guests, Clare,

“Refettorio is caring, respect, love and kindness in abundance… it has truly saved my life.”

– Clare, Refettorio Guest 

In 2024, our catering and events emerged as a powerhouse of purpose, proving that exceptional food can do more than satisfy hunger – it can create lasting social change. Our Sydney team led the charge with iconic Food Truck, delivered catering, and our stunning HQ venue hire – all showcasing our chefs’ talent for creating delicious food.

This innovative approach to purpose-driven hospitality is now available in Melbourne and Brisbane, with our teams in Perth and Adelaide starting this much anticipated service. Every catering choice is a chance to make a difference as this revenue stream helps keep our wheels turning. 

In addition, any Food Truck booking funds a free community lunch service, serving nourishing meals with dignity and respect to those who need it most. Peter Ackermans, Community Change Coordinator at Redlink Housing Services said a visit from the Food Truck is a welcomed sight and has a great impact on the estate – everyone loves the food.

One community guest summed it up best:

“Some of us have never seen an event like this – it’s great to come together like family.”

OzHarvest catering and events means corporate gatherings are transformed into catalysts for community support which helps to ‘Nourish our Country.’

When purpose meets innovation, magic happens. In its groundbreaking first year, OzHarvest Ventures has proven that business can be a powerful catalyst for social and environmental change, launching products that not only taste good but do good. As a social enterprise, OzHarvest Ventures ensures profits help generate a sustainable funding stream to support OzHarvest’s mission.

The Conscious Drink, created in collaboration with Kakadu Kitchen’s Ben Tyler and ALTD Spirits’ Tim Triggs, has soared beyond expectations. Produced with award-winning Gypsy Hub, this zero-alcohol wine alternative transforms rescued blueberries and wild-harvested First Nations botanicals into impact you can taste. Every bottle contributes to our food rescue mission, enabling 4,588 meals to be delivered and over 100 native plants taking root in the Northern Territory.

The success story continues with Life Changing LemonAid (available in two flavours. These sparkling, all-natural beverages turn upcycled ingredients into refreshing drinks with purpose and sales last year helped deliver 5,690 meals to people in need – one can at a time.

In a bold move to expand our impact, OzHarvest Ventures acquired award-winning Gastronomy in July, transforming this premium corporate hospitality business into a dedicated social enterprise. With 100% of profits channelled into creating positive change, it’s a perfect example of business reimagined for good.

The re-vamp and launch of the online OzHarvest Shop, has made it easier than ever for consumers to shop with purpose, offering our growing range of impact-driven products in one convenient location.

“OzHarvest Ventures is continuously innovating to create incredible products that encourage consumers to think deeply and make conscious decisions about using their purchasing power for people and the planet.”

Ronni Kahn AO Founder and Visionary-in-Residence