Short first Ashes Test results in record donation of surplus food across Western Australia

The shortened Ashes Test in Perth may have left administrators scrambling to recover a multimillion-dollar deficit, broadcasters scrambling to fill three days of airtime and fans wondering what to do with the new time on their hands, but for others England’s early capitulation in the series opener was a boon.

A huge surplus of food, which was intended for another large crowd with an expected third day of cricket but was never used as the match was completed within two days, has been donated to charities across Western Australia.

Optus Stadium, known as Perth Stadium during the first test, sent all surplus food to OZHarvest, Australia’s leading food rescue service, which in turn partnered with SecondBite and Foodbank WA to distribute the food to people in need across the state.

The organization said it was the largest donation it had ever received in Western Australia.

WA’s Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti praised the move, saying it demonstrated “community spirit at its best”.

“Thanks to the fast-winding Ashes Test at Optus Stadium, hundreds of kilos of fresh food have been donated to West Australians in need,” she said. “When it became clear the match would end early, the Optus Stadium team acted quickly to minimize waste.

“Given the size of the donation – the largest the stadium has provided to date – OzHarvest has partnered with two other local organisations, SecondBite and Foodbank WA, to distribute the products to charities, schools, women’s shelters and individuals in need across Perth.”

Twenty pallets of fruit and vegetables, four pallets of sandwiches and salads, two pallets of bread and four pallets of milk and dairy were donated, totaling hundreds of kilos.

“Every effort has been made to maximize food recovery,” Optus Stadium CEO Mike McKenna said. “Our chefs are busy processing approximately 450kg of chopped tomatoes into passata. Some of the excess milk becomes white sauce and lemon wedges are saved for future use. Being able to support those in need is a real plus for the stadium team.”

The shortened Test match, won for Australia thanks to a 10-wicket haul before Mitchell Starc and Travis Head’s brilliant centuries, left Cricket Australia with a $4 million deficit even after taking into account the savings made by not having to open the Perth Stadium after day two.

The fast-paced nature of the match has organizers and broadcasters on alert ahead of the second Test at the Gabba, which starts in Brisbane next week.