Avoiding food waste and hunger? Let’s drink to that!
We’ve built economic and social systems that maximise extraction and exploitation. A small number of people benefit and countless others experience negative impacts. Hunger, waste, global heating and harm to biodiversity are direct consequences of industrialised food production and distribution.
But of course it doesn’t have to be this way. And before this continent was colonised, it wasn’t. Today there are visionaries and entrepreneurs like Ronni Kahn, founder of OzHarvest Ventures, who are changing the system. Social business is making connections with farmers, First Nations creators and foodies that hold delicious possibilities. Like Conscious Drink.
A new, genre-defining beverage
Conscious Drink is the first-ever product launched by OzHarvest Ventures, a new social enterprise incubated by OzHarvest. In partnership with Indigenous-owned Kakadu Kitchen, Conscious Drink is crafted by a purpose-driven team including Ben Tyler of Kakadu Kitchen and Tim Triggs of ALTD Spirits.
This tantalising drink celebrates the beauty of rescued blueberries and native botanicals in a bespoke alcohol-free blend. It is a superb alternative to champagne and other sparkling alcoholic beverages and a long-awaited non-alcoholic fancy drink.
Bringing together a community of impact
In December, Matthew Wright-Simon from Engage Change hosted and curated a truly wonderful launch and storytelling experience for OzHarvest Ventures.
We worked with Deborah Kingsbury and the talented team of Ondeen, a venue in the Adelaide Hills that celebrates regenerative approaches to cuisine and community gathering.
After plenty of eating, drinking and chatting in the garden’s late afternoon light, Ronni Kahn, Ben Tyler and Louise Tran shared the story of Conscious Drink with Matthew, savouring the experience and answering questions from a warm and curious audience.
The crowd was full of leaders from farms, charities, social enterprises, government organisations, philanthropy, major venues, restaurants and pubs, Indigenous entrepreneurship, big and boutique retail and countless other nodes of the state’s growing regenerative network. What a crowd!
Every product can solve a problem
Our food system has been described as one of the many ‘broken’ systems that is failing farmers and foodies alike. Social enterprise catalysts like OzHarvest Ventures have work to do, says founder Ronni Kahn:
In Australia alone, an untapped $58 billion worth of business opportunities to reduce food waste exist. This has the potential to benefit business, people, planet and our communities.
OzHarvest Ventures is a social enterprise built on a much-loved (and now international) charity. Even when purpose-led entrepreneurs have truly global ambitions, it is their connection to local places and people that makes magical things happen.
This South Australian launch was a definite highlight of 2025. Best of all, every product on offer that night sold out!
That deserves a toast! 🥂.