PwC Australia to help tackle food insecurity and create employment pathways through expanded three-year partnership with OzHarvest

L-R: Louise Tran Head of OzHarvest Ventures; Kevin Burrowes PwC Australia CEO; Kelly Vise OzHarvest Partnerships Manager

Monday, 21 September 2026

• New three-year partnership expands the relationship between PwC Australia and OzHarvest

• For the first time, PwC Australia will offer workplace experiences for graduates of OzHarvest’s Nourish program

• The firm is now the largest client of Gastronomy, OzHarvest’s social enterprise hospitality business

Expanded alliance continues to build on program of practical participation opportunities for staff, including volunteering, donations, professional skill sharing and everyday purchasing

PwC Australia is supporting OzHarvest to create new pathways to employment for young Australians, as the organisations expand their longstanding alliance through a new three-year partnership.

For the first time, PwC Australia will offer workplace experiences for graduates of OzHarvest’s Nourish program, which provides free hospitality training and career opportunities for 16 to 25-year-olds facing barriers to employment and education.

The partnership brings together the firm's people, professional expertise and purchasing power to support OzHarvest's work reducing food waste, feeding Australians facing hunger, and equipping young people with workforce-ready skills.

PwC Australia Chief Executive Officer, Kevin Burrowes, said the expanded partnership reflects the important role businesses can play in addressing social issues through practical action.

"Many young people encounter challenges that can make it harder for them to participate fully in education, work and community life. Through our involvement in the Nourish program, we're opening doors for them to gain industry experience that can help them take the next step in their career, developing skills and building confidence for the future."

"What makes this alliance so unique is the range of ways our people can give back and see the real difference they’re making in the lives of vulnerable Australians. Whether it’s volunteering and skills-based support or buying their lunch at Gastronomy, they’re creating an immediate and lasting impact."

PwC Australia leadership team takes part in OzHarvest’s Cooking for a Cause

PwC Australia has been supporting OzHarvest for more than 10 years, with 1,500 PwC volunteers helping to put more than 12,000 meals on the table for those in need since 2013. Across the last three years, the relationship has expanded to include the firm’s involvement with social enterprise hospitality business, Gastronomy.

PwC Australia is now the largest client of Gastronomy, which operates full service hospitality across four of the firm’s offices. Profits from Gastronomy are reinvested into the charity, demonstrating how every dollar of social procurement spend can generate further impact in OzHarvest’s fight against food waste and food insecurity.

OzHarvest Founder, Ronni Kahn AO, said with demand for food relief at an all-time high, there’s never been a more important time to support the cause.

"It’s great to partner with PwC to help power the work we do every day. Whether that's rolling up their sleeves to volunteer or getting behind our food rescue work, we’re always looking for likeminded partners who share our vision.”

PwC Australia's people will continue to support OzHarvest through a range of initiatives, including:

• Volunteering programs such as Cooking for a Cause, food rescue vans, and at OzHarvest markets in Sydney and Adelaide.

• Pro bono and low bono strategic and advisory support.

• Employee donations through the Good2Give program, with PwC Australia matching staff contributions.

• Education and engagement initiatives that build awareness of food insecurity and food waste.

• Firm leaders to participate in the CEO CookOff, OzHarvest’s flagship fundraising initiative in October.

The partnership also extends to everyday purchasing choices. In addition to hospitality services, Gastronomy now stocks beverages made from upcycled lemons that would've otherwise gone to waste, with every can purchased funding an OzHarvest meal. During its Impact Month, PwC Australia also supported OzHarvest’s social enterprise corporate arm, providing fruit boxes to staff which go towards helping local farmers and reducing food waste.

Gastronomy chefs Paul and Mauricio with Good & Fugly corporate fruit boxes during PwC’s Impact Month

PwC Australia Chief Sustainability Officer, John O'Donoghue, said the partnership demonstrates how commercial relationships can create broader community value.

"Businesses are increasingly looking at the impact created through their everyday operations and purchasing decisions. Our partnership with OzHarvest shows how procurement, sustainability and social impact can work together to deliver tangible outcomes for communities by supporting a purpose-led social enterprise."

Gastronomy is a social enterprise by OzHarvest Ventures is a full service food and beverage hospitality company

Gastronomy CEO Mark Fortugno said the partnership shows what is possible when organisations look again at spend they are already committed to.

“Every large workplace buys food, requires hospitality services and holds events. Gastronomy is a full services hospitality food and beverage company that provides exceptional food quality, service and value, and the difference is where the money goes. Budget that is already set aside for businesses converts into meals, training, jobs, and improving lives. PwC has shown the market that this is a procurement decision that has the potential for incredible impact.

This is a major differentiator in our industry and a striking demonstration of what's possible when a business looks past the immediate function of an everyday decision and asks what else that spend could achieve "

Visit www.gastronomy.com.au or contact the Gastronomy team at catering@gastronomy.com.au