Funky Food calls on farmers for surplus, quirky and imperfect picks
Brisbane-based, national produce rescue business Funky Food is calling on farmers across Queensland and northern NSW to let the Funky team save more fresh fruit and vegetables from going to waste, by partnering to redirect surplus and cosmetically imperfect produce directly to Australian households.
As the cost of growing, harvesting and transporting food continues to rise, and Mother Nature continues to throw curve balls, Funky Food is looking to connect with small to medium farms, particularly independent and family-run growers, who are left with produce that can be difficult to move through traditional retail channels.
This includes surplus stock, seasonal overflow, over-or under-sized produce, or fruit and vegetables that are perfectly good to eat but don’t meet supermarket cosmetic specifications.
Founder Kamran Kasaei-Nejad said Funky Food was built on direct relationships with growers and a shared goal of keeping good food out of landfill.
“We hear it time and time again from farmers, perfectly edible produce is being rejected for reasons that have nothing to do with quality,” Mr Kasaei-Nejad said.
“Our model is about creating another pathway to market, helping farmers recover value from their crops while reducing waste and feeding households at the same time.”
Funky Food is seeking growers who:
- Have surplus, overflow or cosmetically imperfect produce
- Want a fair, transparent alternative to dumping or ploughing crops back in
- Care about reducing food waste and keeping good produce in circulation
While farms located within one to two hours’ drive of Brisbane are ideal, Funky Food is open to hearing from growers outside this range depending on produce type, volumes and logistics. Supply arrangements are flexible, with Funky Food happy to work with one-off surplus loads, seasonal arrangements and ongoing regular supply. Volumes don’t need to be large, partnerships can start small and scale over time.
“We don’t need semi-trailer loads or perfect-looking produce,” Mr Kasaei-Nejad said. “If it’s fresh, safe and edible, we want to hear from you.”
Funky Food delivers boxes of rescued fruit and vegetables directly to households across South East Queensland, Sydney and surrounds, and Melbourne, often at prices up to 30 per cent cheaper than supermarkets. With Australian households wasting an estimated 4kg of food per week, and food costs continuing to climb, demand for rescued produce continues to grow.
“This is about backing farmers, backing common sense, and making sure the hard work that goes into growing food doesn’t end in landfill,” Mr Kasaei-Nejad said.
FARMERS INTERESTED should contact Katy Lysaught at Funky Food via email on [email protected] or mobile 0410 469 896.
THE FACTS: Food Waste in Australia
End Food Waste Australia is leading the way in improving the sustainability of the Australian food system through research and evidence-based solutions:
- In Australia, around 7.7 million meals are discarded daily, with households contributing 32% of that waste, costing the economy an estimated $36.6 billion annually.
- The average household wastes 4kg of food each week, amounting to roughly $3,000 per year.
- "Reducing food waste isn’t just an environmental or economic issue — it’s a social imperative. If Australia successfully halves food waste by 2030 — an ambitious goal — FIAL estimates this could unlock $54 billion in benefits, significantly reduce emissions, and ensure more food reaches those who need it most."
Australian National Food Waste Strategy Feasibility Study by Food Innovation Australia (FIAL):
- Australia wastes 7.6 million tonnes of food annually; that’s enough to fill the Melbourne Cricket Ground 10 times over.
- 70% of this waste could have been avoided, representing billions of lost meals and an economic impact of $36.6 billion.
- Household waste alone costs Australians $19.3 billion per year.
- Shoppers reported saving around $63 on a produce haul, by ordering a box of “misshapen” produce.
Contact details:
Kath Rose on [email protected] or 0416 291 493
