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The project is an Australian-first, social impact collaboration between leading food rescue organisation, OzHarvest and Food for Soul. Born out of a shared vision to nurture the well-being of people and the health of the planet, founders Ronni Kahn AO of OzHarvest and Massimo Bottura of Food for Soul have created a community hub welcoming those in need, to feel at home and enjoy a nourishing meal.
The Refettorio model is designed to meet the needs of those experiencing food insecurity and provide a positive experience for guests. The Refettorio embraces Food for Soul’s guiding principles, value of hospitality, power of beauty, and collective ideas to provide a dignified dining experience for Sydney’s most vulnerable, alongside actions that protect the environment and foster social inclusion.
Symbolism of our Logo
Our logo is a reflection of our shared values around the importance of ensuring everyone has dignified access to quality, nutritious food. Blending OzHarvest’s signature yellow, against a black wheel backdrop signifies our commitment to food security. The intricate white heart design is linked together with spoons to symbolize love and nourishment.
“We all need to eat to survive. Food is the great connector, it is a universal language. Around the table we are equals. Even more importantly, around a table we are together. This is what we will try to do with our partner OzHarvest: cure humanity through the incredible power of food."
Massimo Bottura, Founder of Food for Soul
“We see the transformative power a meal can make every day and are thrilled to be bringing the Refettorio model to Australia, with the wonderful Massimo Bottura and Food for Soul. Refettorio OzHarvest Sydney will open in September, making delicious and nourishing food available to those who need it most.”
Ronni Kahn AO, OzHarvest Founder & CEO
Volunteer
Volunteers are the heart and soul of the Refettorio playing a huge role supporting the needs of the community, giving time and compassion to support our mission.
Help to keep our doors open with a donation, or by joining as a regular giver. Every dollar helps grow our impact and allows us to get good food to those who need it most.
Both organizations share a vision for a better world, where food is not wasted and no-one goes hungry. This is a truly special partnership between two like-minded organizations.
Food for Soul is a cultural nonprofit organization advocating for socially responsible actions that improve the health of our planet and well-being of people. Since the opening of Refettorio Ambrosiano, Milan in 2015, founders Chef Massimo Bottura and Lara Gilmore have been empowering and mobilizing local communities to reduce food loss and waste and support social inclusion. By enabling the transformation of people, places and food, Food for Soul’s mission aims to scale a culture of value to foster food systems that are sustainable, healthy and equitable that bridge opportunities for social and economic mobility and strengthen resilience for all.
Founded by Ronni Kahn AO in 2004 after noticing the huge volume of food going to waste, OzHarvest has quickly grown to become Australia’s leading food rescue organization. Food is at the heart of everything we do, feeding those who need it most, creating positive change through education programs and inspiring others to join us to fight food waste. Our work aligns with five UN Sustainable Development Goals and we’re committed to the national goal of halving food waste by 2030. With a passionate team of staff, volunteers and partners – we are dedicated to ‘Nourishing our Country’ and protecting our planet.
Refettorio Highlights
Located on Crown Street in Surry Hills, the split-level venue serves around 500 guests a week, to support community needs and ensure no one goes hungry. Our meals are prepared from fresh, rescued ingredients, with a focus on seasonal ingredients wherever possible.
Building on the shared practices of Refettorio’s around the world, the space is designed to be warm, elegant and intimate, and create a sense of belonging. With over 100 years of history, the building has been renovated to include solar power, sustainable practices and design elements to embrace nature. The Refettorio hosts special events, fortnightly dinners and is available for private hire, to help foster local connections and inclusion to grow our impact and support our mission.
The Refettorio team works with the local community and OzHarvest’s network of charities to ensure those experiencing food insecurity can access a delicious free meal during the week. Regardless of circumstance, guests are warmly welcomed without judgement and served with dignity and respect.
Our Food
Based on Food for Soul and OzHarvest’s zero-waste philosophy, rescued ingredients are transformed into nourishing meals made with love. Food is provided through OzHarvest’s food rescue operations, where quality surplus food is collected from a network of local food donors. As part of our commitment to protecting the planet and the health benefits of a plant-based diet, the menu is 100% vegetarian.
Refettorio Dinners
We welcome you as a guest at a Neighbourhood Dinner, where you will be treated to a delicious three-course vegetarian meal along with non-alcoholic drinks. Our talented chefs are masters at using sustainably and ethically sourced local produce to create zero-waste meals.
Every ticket you buy helps us to feed at least four people in need, a nourishing free lunch during our weekday service. Refettorio OzHarvest Sydney is an entirely not-for-profit space. We rely on the generosity of our supporters to keep our doors open allowing us to connect with and support those experiencing food insecurity.
A range of private event packages are available for breakfast, afternoon, and evening events. Our talented chefs design a bespoke menu using rescued ingredients that reflects the ethos of the Refettorio, with a focus on seasonal ingredients wherever possible.
Please email refettorio.events@ozharvest.org to find out more about our event packages.
Refettorio offers a free meal service Tuesday to Saturday during the daytime.
Lunch is offered Tuesday – Fridays from 12.00pm – 2.30pm, and brunch on Saturday from 9.30am – 12.00pm.
The daily menu is prepared by OzHarvest chefs and served by a dedicated team of volunteers.
Education, workshops and cultural activities
The Refettorio also functions as a community hub to help foster local connections and inclusion, to grow our impact and support our mission. The Refettorio includes activities to support some of OzHarvest’s education programs including Nourish, NEST and FEAST, and continues to evolve to offer workshops and events that celebrate the local culture, arts and humanities.
Our Partners & Supporters
We are deeply grateful to the like-minded partners and supporters who have helped make this project possible.
There are many ways to be part of Refettorio OzHarvest’s story, please email us at refettorio@ozharvest.org if you’d like to be involved, either through in-kind donations or financial partnerships to support the long-term sustainability of the project.
