This article is a summary only of the podcast conversation “11. Closing the Loop on Food Waste”. Listen to the full episode on Spotify podcasts or Apple podcasts, and go here for the relevant links mentioned in the podcast, or read on to enjoy the photos and summary of how Feedback Organic creates community-inclusive circular food systems that scale.

Closing the Loop on Food Waste

Unlike the availability of recycling and general rubbish collections, commercial kitchens face big challenges with their food waste.

David Sivyer is the founder of Feedback Organic (unofficially known as “Feedback”), an organisation focused on reducing food waste from food-based businesses. Starting in Newcastle as a grassroots initiative, Feedback Organic aims to create community-inclusive circular food systems that scale.

Starting Feedback Organics

After composting food waste on his family farm in the Hunter Valley, David saw an opportunity to bring the process to Newcastle.

How could composting thrive in a city, whilst involving everyone, to close the loop on urban agriculture?

Now a non-profit, the organisation collaborates with partners like ARC Ento Tech, OzHarvest, universities, local councils, the NSW Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), large corporations, and small to medium hospitality businesses.

Starting Urban Farms

Establishing an urban farm is a hands-on, community-based solution to tackling food waste and unsustainable food production.

Feedback Organic launched its first urban farm in 2013 in Maryville, partnering with the Hunter Research Foundation. This regional farm laid the foundation for future growth, leading to additional farms in Cardiff Heights and Kurri Kurri. The Kurri Kurri site – now known as Feedback Farms – was supported by Feedback Organic to become a thriving initiative.

Feedback’s Founder and Director proudly shares the impact of urban farming – over 5,000 volunteers have participated in the farms, with at least 25 schools learning about food waste education. The Feedback Organic model has inspired five new farms across the Hunter Region, fostering a movement of urban agriculture and sustainable living.

What is an Urban Farm

An urban farm provides an accessible agricultural space that involves the local community while showing the possibilities of a closed loop system in an urban environment. It’s a place where Feedback Organic trials different ideas and initiatives, helping people come to understand more about food systems.

Size wise, an urban farm is about an acre – about half the size of a soccer field – and includes 70 raised garden beds that are each 20 x metres x 1 metre. Starting with the soil, worms and compost help these farms thrive as sustainable ecosystems.

From Feedback Organic’s experience, they can grow approx. 300 – 500 kgs of seasonal produce per week, supplying businesses and the community.

Before hearing about how Feedback and Estabar cafe teamed up successfully, here’s some brief information about food waste.

Food Waste

Food is a daily part of everyone’s life, so some kind of food waste is inevitable. The volume of food waste is crazy, with one third of all food produced going to waste. Food waste comes from every stage of the food chain system – from farming & production to logistics, packaged foods and end users, including households and hospitality. Feedback has helped divert 5 – 6 tonnes of food waste from landfill each week.

David says there’s been progress, such as normalising foods like the Odd Bunch, but he’s keen for more resourcefulness. Current infrastructure doesn’t yet meet the volume of food waste.

Here’s a infographic overview of Food Waste Fast Facts Australia…

By 1st July, 2025, commercial businesses will be legally required to manage their food waste, and local councils must implement a food organics, garden organics system for households.

Here’s the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) NSW Waste and Sustainability Strategy 2041(Stage 1 2021 -2027)…

Estabar Cafe, Newcastle

Image source: Estabar Instagram

Estabar is a popular cafe across from Newcastle beach. It’s known for its fresh, locally-sourced. They also generate a couple of hundred kilos of food waste each week. Under the ownership of Bec Bowie at the time, her team visited Feedback’s farm for a hands-on experience. They brought one of their 120 litre bins of food waste from the cafe added it to compost, participated in harvesting and left the farm with a box of farm-grown produce.

The flow on effect was how they successfully promoted their commitment to local ingredients and food waste diversion to their customers. People are attracted to Estabar who value sustainable practices and delicious food in a top location.

For the conversation with Bec Bowie about other sustainable initiatives at the cafe under her ownership, listen to episode 25 of The ReNewy Living Podcast Leading by Values for a Purposeful Workplace…

While large-scale organic waste processing remains limited, organisations like Feedback Organic show how smaller efforts can create impactful change and scale as needed.

The Future of Feedback Organic

Looking ahead, Feedback Organic is developing a digital platform, a partnership with the EPA on food waste solutions, and establishing a Centre of Excellence.

David spoke of urban farms as the connector for food systems at the 2024 Newcastle TEDx event, Beyond Boundaries.

The ReNewy Living Podcast was recorded on Awabakal country. I wish to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land and waters in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region of New South Wales.

I hope you’re feeling more confident about doing better for our people and planet by taking a start where you live approach to living sustainably. If this episode has spurred you into action, please feel free to share it with your friends. It would mean the world to me!

Listen into the stories and voices of this story here at Spotify podcasts and here at Apple Podcasts… And you can also sign up to my regular emails here… I look forward to sharing more stories with you next time.