WNWN - An Ever Changing Thing

You know something is alive and well when the best parts, the things you really value, stay the same and keep going but also when it is able to adapt to changing circumstances and see new possibilities and areas to grow into. So it is with WNWN - Waste Not Want Not.

The Sydney launch of the partnership between WNWN and Foodbank. 

Starting in Hillston in 2011, WNWN has spread to Griffith, Leeton, across the Riverina and further afield. Originally set up to send food, which would only go to waste on the farm, to charities, who could use it well to feed people struggling to make ends meet, it quickly caught on as an idea. Foodbank took it on wholeheartedly, producers donated produce and transport and meat went onto the menu.

Some of the original picking team

Less produce is picked locally by small groups like the Men’s Shed or the Uniting Church, than was the case in 2011-12, not because these groups have lost interest, but because so much more is donated overall.

WNWN has become a bigger project than expected originally and one which, once set up, largely runs itself. The total produce donated to date is 427,399kgs and 94,020 kgs has been sent over March and April this year from this area.

Families struggle on low incomes 

A new venture for 2015 is to produce recipe and food fact sheets. Many people who use the donated food were never taught, cooking or basic nutrition skills. This naturally affects their diet, overall health and budget.






Jenny Sheridan from Hillston WNWN and Penny Davies,* Carrathool Council Community Development Officer, are developing the recipe sheets which show people how to cook and store the food they receive from Foodbank, the food sent from NSW farms. (* In the top picture -Jenny is second from left and Penny is on the extreme right.)

The recipes will be checked and authorised by a nutritionist and are designed to be easy to use, affordable and nutritious.

The sheets will be launched at Sydney Fruit and Vegetable Market in July with Susie Elelmen, the WNWN ambassador, assisting in the launch.

Positive outcomes are expected from the availability of cheaper food and the knowledge to use it well.

PS - The WNWN AGM for 2015 will be held in Hillston on 15th June at the Hillston Uniting Church in Grattan St - 12 noon for a light lunch, followed by the meeting at 12.30pm.