Good Coffee Doing Good (GCDG) is a project-based initiative in which we partner with impact-focused enterprises - both local and global - and is fuelled by our GCDG range. Through the sales of Golden Rule Espresso Blend, our Hey Buddy Filter Blend, and our GCDG merch we raise funds for some meaningful organisations and projects, donating between $2 and $5 for each sale across our retail and wholesale operations.
To date, we have raised and donated over A$75,000 through our Golden Rule initiative to our project partners. You can shop the Good Coffee Range here.
We’re incredibly proud to announce our latest partnership is with OzHarvest - Australia’s leading food rescue organisation. Our campaign with OzHarvest focuses on their Nourish education program, which provides hospitality training for young people aged 16-25 who face barriers to education and employment.
OzHarvest was founded in 2004 by Ronni Kahn AO, after noticing the huge volume of food going to waste from her events business. Ronni did not set out to start a charity, rather just fix an obvious problem with a simple solution. Starting with one van in Sydney, she began rescuing food and delivering it to local charities.
21 years later, OzHarvest is now Australia’s leading food rescue organisation. Driven by their purpose to ‘Nourish our Country’, they do this bystopping food waste,feedingpeople in need,championing the value of food and driving change at all levels of society.
Best known for their bright yellow vans driving across major metro areas and several regional locations, every week they divert over 300 tonnes of good food from going to waste, delivering it directly to over 1,500 charities that feed people in need.
In addition to their incredible food rescue work, OzHarvest facilitate a range of educational initiatives that create real impact in communities. From curriculum-aligned programs for school-aged children on food waste, to life skills and hospitality training, through to nutrition education on healthy eating habits, OzHarvest take a holistic approach to tackling food waste.
This year’s Good Coffee Doing Good campaign focuses on OzHarvest’s Nourish program, an education initiative that goes beyond just teaching cooking and hospitality - it supports young people to gain skills, build confidence, and explore new pathways. Now in its 10th year, Nourish offers more than just a formal qualification; it can be a life-changing journey for students.
Through Nourish, OzHarvest tackles two pressing challenges: youth disengagement and the growing workforce gap in the hospitality industry. Students build friendships, grow in confidence, and develop new skills in a safe, supportive environment.
Alongside an accredited cookery qualification, the program covers customer service, barista training, healthy eating, food safety, and sustainability. Regular mentoring and guidance from a nurturing team help participants gain essential life skills, financial literacy, and job-readiness training.
In-house youth workers provide one-on-one support and help each student plan their next steps. With the backing of a strong industry network, OzHarvest connects graduates with ongoing opportunities in education, training, and employment.
Now in its 10th year, Nourish has supported more than 300 young people, with 75% of graduates going on to further study or secure employment. Some even return to OzHarvest as volunteers — a testament to the program’s lasting impact.
At its heart, Nourish is a launchpad — a place where young people discover their strength, their voice, and their future.
“Nourish has taught me social skills and professional working skills. My voice is heard here, and I can contribute to what we cook. Nourish leads to bigger opportunities and I hope to get into full-time work as an apprentice chef.” – Nourish student.
Nourish currently runs in Adelaide, Newcastle, and Sydney, with two intakes each year in February and August. Pending funding, OzHarvest plans to expand to Tasmania next year.
OZHARVEST’S COMMITMENT
OzHarvest is on a mission to nourish our country by stopping good food from going to waste and getting it to people who need it most. Every week, they rescue quality surplus food and deliver it to charities, provide food relief to vulnerable communities, and run education programs that inspire lasting change.
Through initiatives like their Nourish program, OzHarvest also empowers young people with training, mentoring and pathways into employment, breaking cycles of disadvantage and creating brighter futures.
Purchasing products from our Good Coffee Doing Good range directly assists OzHarvest to deliver this vital work. Supporting OzHarvest means supporting initiatives that:
You can contribute by purchasing our Golden Rule Espresso Blend or our Hey Buddy Filter Blend. $2-4 from each kilo sold will be donated directly to OzHarvest to support their powerful initiatives, like Nourish.
You can also purchase any item from our Good Coffee Doing Good merch range - $5 from the sale of any item will also be donated to OzHarvest.
We would like to thank OzHarvest for their assistance in writing this article and for sharing these images with us.
You can also donate directly to OzHarvest via their website, which we have listed below.
Shop the Good Coffee Doing Good range.
Padre Coffee acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their continued connections to land, sea and community.
We pay our respect to Elders past, present and future, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
