Food rescue crusader Ronni Kahn wins Australia's Local Hero for 2010

Ronni Kahn, founding director of food rescue charity OzHarvest, has been named Australia's Local Hero 2010 as part of the Australian of the Year Awards announced 26 January at Parliament House, Canberra.

Australia's Local Hero award, one of four award categories in the Australian of the Year Awards, recognises outstanding community members who have made a significant contribution or achievement.

OzHarvest is a not-for-profit organisation that rescues unwanted food from restaurants, retailers, food outlets and corporate kitchens across Sydney, Canberra and Wollongong to feed communities at risk.

Ronni, a former event organiser who arrived as an immigrant from Israel in 1988, set-up OzHarvest in 2004 after she was appalled by the amount of food wasted by the hospitality industry. OzHarvest now has more than 600 food donors and delivers more than 110,000 meals each month to 163 charities in Sydney, Canberra and Wollongong with plans to roll out nationally this year.

Not only does OzHarvest help the disadvantaged, it also diverts thousands of tonnes of food from being dumped as landfill. Ronni has also been integral in changing the legislation in four states that protects donors from any liability when supplying unwanted food.

Ronni accepted the award from Prime Minister The Hon Kevin Rudd on the lawns in front of Parliament House, Canberra.

'22 years ago when I came to make a new home in this country I could never have imagined the path would lead me here. I urge you all to find your own path to give back to our community and this incredible land. Together we can make Australia an even better place. At OzHarvest we are dedicated to helping those in need and we could not do it without the help and support of so many. I am honoured and proud to receive this award.'

In October 2009, Ronni launched OzHarvest's One Million Meals Campaign with the aim of raising $1 million to feed one million people by July 2010. People can simply SMS the word FOOD to 1991 1121*.

By paying just $3.50 you are helping OzHarvest to deliver more meals to people in need. You can also donate online by visiting www.ozharvest.org

At last, the issue the food wastage is being recognised. Just last week, Woolworths supermarkets announced a national campaign to assist with food rescue and has pledged to give $2 million in grants to food relief charities including OzHarvest.