OzHarvest Ventures has launched Oh! Lemonaid, a new range of soft drinks made with natural ingredients, less sugar and Australian fruit that would otherwise go to waste.

Every can sold supports local farmers, saves ingredients from ending up as landfill and provides a nourishing meal for someone in need with profits supporting food rescue organisation OzHarvest.

The range is available in three flavours, Sparkling Lemon, Sparkling Lemon-Ginger Twist and Sparkling Lemon-Strawberry Splash.

The lemons used in Oh! Lemonaid are purchased from Australian farmers, including Northern Rivers grower Rob McLean, whose lemons are grown on his property in Woodburn.

McLean has seen first-hand how good produce can go to waste. Following repeated floods, more than half of his lemon and citrus trees were damaged in the 2022 floods. The lemons that did survive were also difficult to sell, as many food outlets were only interested in perfectly shaped fruit. Now, those lemons are being used to make Oh! Lemonaid.

“I’ve lived on this property for over two decades and seen eight floods during that time. Our region has been through a lot, especially in the last floods. More than half of my lemon and citrus trees were damaged from the 2022 floods,” McLean said.

“I called many businesses to see if they could purchase my lemons and I donated what I could to charity. Now, thanks to OzHarvest Ventures, those lemons have a new life. People are enjoying them in Oh! Lemonaid, and knowing they are being enjoyed rather than wasted brings me so much joy.”

OzHarvest Ventures said Oh! was also about reaching people who may not traditionally engage with the food waste conversation, by putting a genuinely enjoyable and high quality product in their hands.

OzHarvest Founder Ronni Kahn AO said: “Oh! Lemonaid isn’t just made with goodness, it gives back goodness too. It’s deliciously refreshing, made with real ingredients and less sugar, and every can provides a meal for someone in need through OzHarvest.

“People are buying it because they love the taste, freshness and quality, only to discover that their purchasing choice is helping farmers, reduce food waste and feed people in need. Not just good. It’s Good, Good.”

The full Oh! Range can be purchased online at shop.ozharvest.org/pages/oh available for national delivery. Oh! Lemonaid is also available in Harris Farm and selected independent retailers.