Ronni Kahn

💛 On the weekend, I attended an event created by a bunch of mates who are mad about cars. They call themselves ‘Motorheads’. This was their third event where they all gathered to ogle their favourite vehicles. This year they decided that while they were at it, they would raise money for . Together they raised $31k!! Just goes to show that sometimes just following something fun, something one is passionate about, can turn out to have greater impact than meets the eye. It can in fact change lives! Just takes a bit of creative thinking. I was so inspired by this. Thank you , and friends! 💛

💛 One of my favourite days of the year - the Nourish graduation! Nourish is the program that takes vulnerable kids between the ages of 15 and 25, and puts them through a six-month life skills and hospitality training program that is fundamentally transformative. It’s transformative because these kids have never had a successful learning experience. But by giving us their precious trust, we get the privilege of watching them graduate with new found abilities and hopefully the confidence they need to make choices about the kind of life they want to live. Today we had nine graduates, each with a fresh start to a whole new chapter of their lives. I have no words for the emotion I feel on this kind of day. Biggest congratulations to the Nourish class of 2023 💛

💛 In Melbourne yesterday, I got to speak to the kids at . I was so moved to see a sea of hands shoot up when I asked who wanted to join the Order of the Teaspoon - a call to take action (read the end of my book if you want to understand this more!). A beautiful boy came bounding down. I heard afterwards that he then gave the coveted teaspoon to his friend who really wanted it. That act of kindness tells me everything I need to know about this kid. He got it. He got what it’s all about, this loving exchange, this realisation that everything you need is already inside of you 💛

💛I am THRILLED to share that we raised a whopping $351,879 across ACT, NSW and VIC for OzHarvest] in the ABC Giving Day! That’s a total of 703,000+ meals that we can provide to vulnerable people across Australia!!

We manned the phones for the entire day yesterday, and in just 24 hour we…

🎧 Received 342 calls
🤙Spent 1386 minutes on the phone
💛Had 24 amazing volunteers
💪32 staff members on call!

A HUGE thank you to , , and for choosing us as your charity of choice this year. Thank you to the incredible OzHarvest] team and volunteers for your commitment to the cause. And of course, thank you to all of YOU - our generous donors for digging deep!!

We are over the moon with this result. Moments like these remind us of how much generosity there is in our community. It’s a beautiful thing.

If you missed your chance to donate yesterday, there’s still time to give! The ABC Gives donation link is in my bio and will be open until early January. There is so much need during the festive season. Please don’t forget amidst all the shopping to-do lists to give if you can! Thank you again!! 💛

💛 It’s all happening here! Ozharvest volunteers and staff are manning the phones for the ABC Gives appeal. Our goal is to reach $400k (800,000 meals) by 10pm tonight. That’s in 2 hours!! OzHarvest is bursting with energy today as it’s all hands on deck taking calls. I’ve taken a few calls myself! Keep it coming friends! Vulnerability is so heightened at this time of year for so many people. Head to the link in my bio to donate. We’re so grateful to and for everyone helping and donating! 💛

💛 New, simple little black number from in Bondi. Remember that recycled, upcycled, preloved or vintage are all great options for end of year outfits and gifts. The planet will thank you for it 💛

💛 Sound checking for tonight’s TEDx talk taking place in Melbournes Capitol Theatre, which unfortunately I can’t do in person (thanks covid). But I’m so looking forward to talking about the Kinsugi of food waste. Kinsugi is the Japanese art of putting broken pottery pieces back together again with powdered gold. This philosophy has so much power in it, not in just the making of something broken useful again, but in the idea of bringing beauty to the world through breakage. We can make the tear, the imperfections something to celebrate, something obvious and golden. I’ve got lots to say. I think there may still be some tix left for tonight’s . Check it out. See you there 💛

💛 Today was Australia’s biggest gathering dedicated to fighting food waste - the National Food Waste Summit. We have a goal to halve Australia’s food waste by 2030. That’s 3000 days left to this work.
Believe it or not, food waste is costing us $36.5 billion a year. Now, it’s true, we will reduce waste through tax incentives, which we believe are fundamental. We will reduce waste through food rescue. But the way we’ll all be able to contribute to halving food waste is by each one of us using it up. Let’s all get on board to be absolutely committed to this. Thanks to all the summit speakers. These conversations are so important. We can halve food waste. Get your use up tape (link in bio) and let’s do this💛 📸 with Steve Clifford, CEO of and Brianna Casey from . Loved learning from the wonderful Toine Timmermans, Bioresearch Professor from the Netherlands.

💛 ‘It was now clear to me that I was going to continue with my rogue food deliveries. I had a food waste problem and I had created a very immediate solution that was working for me: I’d simply gather up the food at the end of an event and deliver it to the closest shelter in town. It was easy, and it felt so good. Trays of grilled fish, bread rolls, salads, gourmet desserts—you name it. At this point it was simply a solution for me and my business. Then one day I went into my local health-food store, which made fresh food, and out of curiosity I asked, ‘Do you ever have surplus food? And they said, ‘Oh my God, yes, right here, right now.’ And they gave it to me, there and then. I simply took it with me! And then, wherever I did my shopping I’d ask, ‘By the way, what happens to your leftovers?’

‘Oh nothing, we just throw it out,’ they’d reply.

‘Well, what if I could take it?’ I’d ask.

And they’d say, ‘We’d love that, sure! Come back tomorrow.’ A shift was taking place. Our collective mindsets were beginning to be repurposed. I thought, Okay, I want this solution to grow.’ - excerpt from A Repurposed Life pg 123

💛 What would you do with scrap wood ? Recycle artist decided to make 6 larger than life giants and hide them in the Mandurah forests of WA for you and me to find and delight in. Thank God for artists, storytellers, visionaries! Such a feat of pure imagination! 💛

💛 Travelling around Australia always reminds me and surprises me. OzHarvest has so much reach, and because of that I get to meet incredible chefs all over the place that care so much about not wasting, about food efficiency and doing things in a more sustainable way. Shout out to all the chefs today who are changing the game with their food values. Quite literally you are saving the planet 💛 📸 I enjoyed such amazing food at thanks to chef Evan Heyter (genius). The empty plate was my last course - exquisite yoghurt ice cream with chocolate ganache meringue and oat cookie 😋

💛 I’m in beautiful WA with the intention to take some time to replenish. When I was young(er), I thought time out was time away from my work, an opportunity to cram experiences and not think about ‘real life’. As I get older, its so clear to me that I can’t escape any of it. All you can do is nourish your inner life and let that inform everything else. Ideas for me now come from quieter spaces. Time near trees, a walk by the ocean, watching a sunset, all of these take me right to the centre of myself. The sunset brings my work along with it. It brings it to a new light. It stills it. Makes it new again. It’s not possible all the time but when possible, take the moments in nature wherever you can. These moments redefine everything 💛

💛 As many of you know, the Sydney holds such a special place in my heart. Watching our incredible team of staff and volunteers welcome our lunchtime guests with huge smiles, serving up delicious food made with love is a dream come true for me. To help keep the Ref doors open, the team have created a bit of foodie magic for your festive season needs - two beautiful gourmet food hampers. Each hamper contains hand-made goodies like Mushroom Ketchup and Onion and Beetroot Pickle – both made by us with surplus ingredients. You can also enjoy other delicious delights from our generous friends at , and . Each hamper helps us provide at least 5 people in need a free three-course meal at the Refettorio OzHarvest. How good does it feel to give a gift that gifts so many people? Head to the link in my bio to purchase your hamper. Get in quick as stock is very limited 💛 A very special thanks to the generous support of .packaging and for making these hampers possible! 💛

💛 This week I was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Executive of the Year awards by . It was quite a night. So many extraordinarily talented people in the room, leaders from startups to long-standing businesses, both in the world of For Profit and For Purpose. As much as I feel honoured and humbled to be amongst such innovators in their chosen fields, I must say, I could not help look around the room and imagine how wonderful it would be if there was no need for organisations like in a country as rich and fortunate as ours. There is still so much work to be done. I believe it’s possible 💛

💛 Today, host of radio show Breakfast popped in to see us at . How good does he look in one of our yellow volunteer tshirts?! We got to chat about the ABC Gives appeal coming up later this month. OzHarvest has been chosen as the charity of choice for NSW and ACT! Grateful. More to come 💛

💛 What a week. 18 years of . So many memories. Some pics here of the days when we had more cupcakes than volunteers (2006) and our very first logo’s and marketing. What a ride. Thanks for the love 💛

💛 Last night, at a special ceremony in Sydney’s Town Hall, I received a key to the city of Sydney from the Lord Mayor . I had no idea about this key custom. I did not know about this tradition that is meant to confer trust and honor, a symbol of freedom for the recipient to enter and leave the city at will as a trusted friend of city residents.

As an immigrant of this country, as a white woman who is a visitor on this Gadigal land, it is truly my honour to be received here and to receive the city’s trust. Of all the cities I have lived in, this is my most precious.

Thank you to Lord Mayor and the who has embraced everything we do at . To my family, friends, OzHarvest board members, partners, supporters, my team and our wonderful volunteers - you all fill me with joy. Together, let’s continue to nourish this wonderful city and this wonderful country and all its people 💛

💛 This week, will be 18 years old. I began super rogue in 2003, but the official date, when we registered the company name, when a teeny office had been secured and when we cracked open the champagne over tears and cake was November 2004. I knew even then that something significant was happening, for others and for me personally, I just didn’t have a clue as to how it would take over my life, have impact, continue to have impact and become my destiny. I will never not be in awe of the mystery of how this journey and so many journeys bring us to different points in our lives. I am as passionate and committed to making a difference as I was the day I decided to create OzHarvest. Happy 18 to this beautiful harvest baby 💛

💛 We’ve launched a new series at OzHarvest] called - ‘Use It Up - Like Your Granny’ (or Safi as my grandkids call me). When it comes to reducing our food waste at home, who better to show us how than Grannies! We have the wisdom to make something out of nothing, right? We have six divine Grannies (including me!) sharing favourite recipes to help us all get creative and Use It Up! I got to film with my six gorgeous grandchildren who helped me make a delicious Frittata. Check out the series on OzHarvest]’s insta! 💛

💛 Divine vintage velvet dress by . If you live in the south coast, visit Wendy at her shop in Woy Woy for totally unique, sustainable, planet friendly fashion 💛

💛 “The things that unfold from fixing a problem, following an urge or a passion project—we can never know where they will lead, how they will affect the world. These outcomes are not within our control, they are beyond us. Our job is simply to follow the call, follow the crumbs”. 💛 - excerpt from A Repurposed Life pg 274

💛 In the lead up to turning 70 (still can’t believe that number!), I’ve been doing daily swims in the ocean very early in the morning. The water is so icy that I know I’ll come out different. Everything I know for sure gets a bit scrambled in that freezing moment, and I think that’s a good thing. It shakes things up. It’s a conscious decision to let go, even if for a second. It feels like I somehow get to reinvent myself, and I know for a fact that it’s never too late to do that. Have a beautiful day everyone 💛

💛 Those quiet moments before the guests arrive and you get a moment to think about why you do what you do…💛

💛 Calling all Sydney-based friends! We have just released tickets for a special dinner next Thursday September 29 in recognition of International Day of Awareness of Food Loss & Waste. As usual, you can expect a delicious 3-course menu made from rescued ingredients served together with beautiful non-alcoholic drinks. We’ll be encouraging conversations on food waste and supplying everyone with Use It Up tape and a little gift to bring back home. Get in quick before tix get snapped up ! 💛

💛 This week I joined our amazing FEAST team (Food Education and Sustainability Training) who finally got together, from all parts of the country, for a big planning day. Education is such an important part of what we do at , because without it, sustainability has no future. FEAST is the starting point for nurturing the minds of change-makers that will go on to carry a legacy of supporting the balance of our planet. At the moment, 600 primary schools are already running our program, teaching kids about healthy eating, food waste and their individual role in protecting our earth. I’m so excited to see this expand into high schools next year…watch this space! 💛

💛 This is my friend Lyndal Hugo . She is an agri-scientist who we are lucky to have on board with us at .vn. She is also the founder of .vietnam, an innovative vertical farming service in Vietnam. This week she came to Sydney to guest at for their Festival of Urbanism. I got to sit in the audience and hear Lyndal and others talk about how we can create greener cities and community pockets that bring joy and heart to our spaces. I’m so inspired by Lyndal. She is a force of goodness creating loving impact wherever she goes! What a way to live and love…💛

💛 The lovely people at in bellingen sent me this new top that I absolutely love. It’s made by , locally designed and sustainably made. Its pure linen, super soft and I love the shape of these sleeves! Thank you!! 😘 💛

💛 I definitely brought the average age up by at least 50 years, but that’s besides the point! The show last night was totally extraordinary. Billie is a pocket rocket who had 60 000 humans in the palm of her hand. I watched the show with Billie’s mum , who I met yesterday for the first time. She came into to see how we do what we do, meet the team and talk all things . I feel so thankful to have made a new like minded friend. Last night, as we watched and celebrated her children’s talent, we shed tears of joy. Our children have so much to offer the world just by being themselves. And we get to witness them. Yesterday, it was Billie & Finneas, and there was nothing quite like it 💛

💛 I’m very excited to share with you all that all proceeds raised from platinum tickets sold for ’s upcoming Happier Than Ever Australian tour will support our efforts to provide nourishing and delicious plant-based meals to vulnerable people across Australia, in collaboration with . Founded by (Billie’s awesome mum!) is an intersectional non-profit organization dedicated to creating an equitable, plant-based food system that combats food insecurity and the climate crisis. Platinum tickets for Brisbane and Perth shows are still available. Get in quick and I hope to see you at the show! 💛

💛 Cooking for a Cause was in full form today. We had a group of more than 50 corporate staff participating. They loved getting cooking tips, learning about not wasting food, as well as preparing delicious food that fed vulnerable people. Since covid, it’s been challenging for workplaces and teams to reconnect and feel a part of each other again. If your company would like to offer this to your staff, go to the website and get in touch. It is truly a wonderful experience 💛

💛 Thrilled to be part of the Powerhouse Museum’s groundbreaking exhibition - 100 Climate Conversations. An hour flew by with journalist and documentary maker Yaara Bou Melhem. We explored the global issue of food waste, how it relates to climate change and what we can do about, along with some of the many ways is part of communities across Australia. Look out for the recording and podcast which will be shared in a few weeks. A huge thank you to and for hosting such an important conversation 💛

💛 My favourite day at work of all time! My 6 grandkids came to play! This is the first time since covid that they were all together in the one room. So much joy for this granny Safi. Keep an eye out as they’ll be featuring in ’s Use it Up tape campaign, coming soon 💛

💛 “What is meaningful to me? I asked myself one day, driving home from another event I’d co-ordinated. What have I been created for? I’d definitely asked myself a million times what the world could offer me, but now I was asking what I could give to the world. I decided there was a missing piece in my life. If I died today, what would I leave behind?” 💛 - excerpt from A Repurposed Life pg 125

💛 My fab new old coat! Found at Turramurra. Mel from found it and she’s loaned it to me for a bit. Sharing clothes is another great sustainable option! Have a great weekend friends 💛

💛 Spent a day in Orange where I had the opportunity to speak with 100 kids in year 5 and 6 at the the Millthorpe Public school and honestly, it gave me so much hope!! I generally love talking to young people, but these kids were just so engaged and knowledgeable. The questions they asked, from food labelling to food waste were so beyond fantastic. And they don’t even have the FEAST program there… yet!! The reason I was invited is because Michelle Slack-Smith, who used to give OzHarvest food religiously from her cafe in Sydney moved to Millthorpe and started her version of OzHarvest there. She starting organising volunteers to pick up leftover food from cafes in the area. She couldn’t bear to imagine this perfect food not feeding hungry bellies. So now we are trying to get Central West Harvest to happen. It will happen. And it’s going to happen because it people like Michelle, people like you and me decide to act on what feels right and logical and good for the planet and for all. We can do this.
Wishing you all an inspired week 💛

💛 This weekend, such absolutely delicious fun at ’s Gourmet Safaris. Hosted by the magnificent , we were treated to Turkish brekky staples at , founded by and chef . Maeve, I love what you do. You bring the gift of insight into culture, the gift of sharing and of celebrating diversity to so many. It is so appreciated. Thank you! 💛

💛 Did you know that caters events? We do, and we use perfectly wonderful quality surplus food in the process. Yesterday we prepared a lovely lunch for an event honouring our partnership with . Call us if you want to have catering that considers sustainability and purpose, as well as deliciousness, of course 💛

💛 Filmed for today from my home. Talked about the connection with food labels and food waste. Did you know that confusion in understanding food labels leads to so much food waste all over the world? I reckon we can do better. Let’s do it 💛

💛”Even though I wasn’t a good socialist living on kibbutz, I still believe in socialism, or at least I believe in a type of socialism. I harbour fantasies of creating a community in my city that is based on equitable sharing, with each person still having their own identity, their own space and work life. Kibbutz living taught me that the form of socialism I believe in is one in which everyone has the right to choose how they want to live, the right to be taken care of by society, and where resources can be shared. There are so many things in a community that you can share. Why do we need twenty lawnmowers on a street with twenty houses? Why do we need forty cars on a street when we could work out a more sustainable transport system? Why do we need twenty swimming pools? Why not share a pool? A veggie patch? A beautiful garden? Why couldn’t we create a village that has communal aspects, such as a shared dining room for the people who want it or need it? If you took the best of kibbutz life and put it in a city, then people could choose the work they wanted to do and share the finances accordingly. Everyone would have a roof over their head, security, safety, friends, community, no concerns about money, no thought about their next meal—these were the best aspects of kibbutz living.” 💛 - excerpt from A Repurposed Life pg 68