Brokerage volunteers at OzHarvest event

Loan Market NSW state manager Michael Karpathakis said he was proud to see so many brokers and staff members getting behind the initiative.

Mr Karpathakis said the event highlighted issues around food waste and what can be done to reduce the problem, both in Australia and internationally.

“Oz Harvest is such a fantastic charity and this was a well organised and run event. It’s great to be able to help an organisation that is so passionate about an important cause,” he said.

The meals at the event were created from rescued ingredients that would otherwise have been wasted, such as fresh but cosmetically imperfect fruit and vegetables.

On the menu were curries made from ‘misshapen’ and wonky vegetables that may have been rejected by supermarkets, lemonade made using leftover lemons, and rescued bread and butter puddings, chapati, cheese and chutney.

Canberra-based broker Craig Butt flew in that morning specifically for the event: “As part of the HOPE program, Loan Market has given us the opportunity to get on board with some fantastic charities. When I found out about this event, I immediately put my hand up to help,” Mr Butt said.

Loan Market Sydney-based brokers Denise Sisavanh-Chan, Leanne Sayer, Lee Banh, Megin Wilton, Alfred Buttarelli  and corporate staff members Joanne Church, Katie Barget and Paul Smith rounded out the Loan Market attendees.